Benzimidazole derivatives and their use as a medicament

ABSTRACT

A subject of the present application is new benzimidazole derivatives of formula 
                         
in which A, Y, R 1 , R 2 , R 3  and R 4  represent different variable groups. These products have an antagonist activity of GnRH (Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone). The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing said products and their use for the preparation of a medicament.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/499,384, filed Jun. 16, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,495,110, which is the National Phase Entry of PCT/FR02/104477, filed Dec. 20, 2002, which claims the benefit of FR01/16647, filed Dec. 21, 2001.

A subject of the present application is new benzimidazole derivatives (amino- and thio-benzimidazoles. These products possess an agonist activity of GnRH (Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone). The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing said products and their use for the preparation of a medicament.

GnRH (Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone), also called LHRH (Luteinizing-Hormone-Releasing Hormone) is a hypothalamic decapeptide (pGlu-His-Trp-Ser-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Arg-Pro-Gly-NH₂) which regulates the reproduction system in vertebrates. It is released into the capillaries of the hypothalamus-hypophyseal portal system of the median eminence and of the infundibular stalk. By this network it reaches the anterior pituitary lobe and reaches, via a second capillary network, the gonadotropic target cell. GnRH acts at the level of the membrane of the target cells, via receptors with seven transmembrane segments coupled to phospholipase C via G proteins leading to an increase of intracellular calcium flux. Its action induces biosynthesis and the release of the gonadotropic hormones FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone). GnRH agonists and antagonists have proven to be effective in women in the treatment of endometriosis, fibroma, polycystic ovary syndrome, cancer of the breast, ovary and endometrium, gonadotropic hypophyseal desensitization during medically assisted procreation protocols; in man, in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and cancer of the prostate; and in the treatment of male or female precocious puberty.

The GnRH antagonists currently used are peptide compounds which generally must be administered by intravenous or sub-cutaneous route because of their poor oral bioavailability. The non-peptide antagonists of GnRH, which present the advantage of being able to be administered by oral route, are the subject of numerous research efforts. For example, non-peptide GnRH antagonist compounds were described in J. Med. Chem, 41, 4190-4195 (1998) and Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett, 11, 2597-2602 (2001).

The present invention relates to a new family of powerful non-peptide GnRH antagonist compounds.

A subject of the invention is therefore a compound of general formula (I)

in racemic, enantiomeric form or any combination of these forms and in which: A represents —CH₂— or —C(O)—; Y represents —S— or —NH—; R₁ and R₂ represent, independently, the hydrogen atom, a (C₁-C₈)alkyl, a (C₅-C₉)bicycloalkyl optionally substituted by one or more identical or different (C₁-C₆)alkyl radicals, or a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(n)—X in which

-   -   X represents amino, (C₁-C₆)alkylamino, di((C₁-C₆)alkyl)amino,         (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, adamantyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl,         aryl-carbonyl or heteroaryl, or a radical of formula

-   -   the (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl and heteroaryl         radicals being optionally substituted by one or more identical         or different substituents chosen from: —(CH₂)_(n′)—X′—Y′, halo,         oxo, nitro, cyano, amino, (C₁-C₆)alkylamino and         di((C₁-C₈)alkyl)amino, hydroxy, N₃;     -   X′ represents —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —NH—C(O)—, —NH—SO₂— or         a covalent bond;     -   Y′ represents a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical optionally substituted by         one or more identical or different halo radicals; heteroaryl or         aryl or heterocycloalkyl optionally substituted by one or more         identical or different substituents chosen from: (C₁-C₆)alkyl,         (C₁-C₆)alkoxy, halo, nitro, cyano, amino, CF₃, OCF₃, hydroxy,         N₃, (C₁-C₆)alkylamino and di((C₁-C₈)alkyl)amino;     -   n represents an integer from 0 to 6 and n′ an integer from 0 to         2;     -   or R₁ and R₂ form together, with the nitrogen atom to which they         are attached, a heterocycloalkyl, a heterobicycloalkyl or a         radical of formula:

-   -   the radical formed by R₁ and R₂ together being optionally         substituted by one or more identical or different substituents         chosen from:         -   —(CH₂)_(n″)—X″—Y″, oxo, hydroxy, halo, nitro, cyano;         -   X″ represents —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O— or a covalent bond;         -   Y″ represents a (C₁-C₆)alkyl, amino, (C₁-C₆)alkylamino,             di((C₁-C₆)alkyl)amino, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl,             arylalkyl radical, or aryl or heteroaryl radical optionally             substituted by one or more identical or different             substituents chosen from: (C₁-C₆)alkyl, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy,             (C₁-C₆)alkyl-carbonyl, halo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, CF₃,             OCF₃, amino, (C₁-C₆)alkylamino and di((C₁-C₆)alkyl)amino);             or a radical of formula

-   -   -   n″ represents an integer from 0 to 4;             R₃ represents —(CH₂)_(p)—W₃—(CH₂)_(p′)—Z₃

    -   W₃ represents a covalent bond, —CH(OH)— or —C(O)—;

    -   Z₃ represents a (C₁-C₆)alkyl, adamantyl, aryl radical, a         heteroaryl, or a radical of formula

-   -   the aryl radical being optionally substituted by one or more         identical or different substituents chosen from:         —(CH₂)_(p″)—V₃—Y₃, halo, nitro, cyano, N₃, hydroxy;     -   V₃ represents —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —SO₂— or a covalent         bond;     -   Y₃ represents a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical optionally substituted by         one or more identical or different halo radicals, amino,         (C₁-C₆)alkylamino, di((C₁-C₆)alkyl)amino, phenylcarbonylmethyl,         heterocycloalkyl or aryl radicals;     -   p, p′ and p″ represent, independently, an integer from 0 to 4;         R₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s)—R″₄     -   R″₄ represents a heterocycloalkyl containing at least one         nitrogen atom and optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)alkyl or         aralkyl; a heteroaryl containing at least one nitrogen atom and         optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)alkyl; or a radical of formula         —NW₄W′₄     -   W₄ represents the hydrogen atom, (C₁-C₈)alkyl or         (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl;     -   W′₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s′)-Q₄-Z₄;     -   Q₄ represents a covalent bond,         —CH₂—CH(OH)—[CH₂]_(t)—[O]_(t′)—[CH₂]_(t″)— or —C(O)—O—;     -   t, t′ and t″ represent, independently, 0 or 1;     -   Z₄ represents the hydrogen atom, (C₁-C₈)alkyl optionally         substituted by one or more identical or different substituents         chosen from: (C₁-C₆)alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)alkylthio, (C₁-C₆)alkyldithio         and hydroxy; (C₂-C₆)alkenyl; (C₂-C₆)alkynyl; (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl         optionally substituted by one or more identical or different         substituents chosen from: (C₁-C₆)alkyl, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl         and (C₁-C₆)hydroxyalkyl; cyclohexene; adamantyl; heteroaryl;         aryl optionally substituted by one or more identical or         different radicals chosen from formula —(CH₂)_(q″)—V₄—Y₄,         hydroxy, halo, nitro, cyano;         -   V₄ represents —O—, —S—, —NH—C(O)— or a covalent bond;         -   Y₄ represents a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical optionally substituted             by di((C₁-C₆)alkyl)amino or one or more identical or             different halo radicals; amino; (C₁-C₆)alkylamino;             di((C₁-C₆)alkyl)amino; aralkyl; heterocycloalkyl radicals;         -   q″ represents an integer from 0 to 4;     -   or Z₄ represents a radical of formula

-   -   s and s′ represent, independently, an integer from 0 to 6;         or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.

In the definitions indicated above, the expression halo represents the fluoro, chloro, bromo or iodo, preferably chloro, fluoro or bromo radical. The expression alkyl (unless specified otherwise), preferably represents a linear or branched alkyl radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, such as the methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl and tert-butyl, pentyl or amyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, 2,2-dimethyl-propyl, hexyl, isohexyl or 1,2,2,-trimethyl-propyl radicals. The term (C₁-C₈)alkyl designates a linear or branched alkyl radical having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, such as the radicals containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms as defined above but also heptyl, octyl, 1,1,2,2-tetramethyl-propyl, 1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-butyl. The term alkyl-carbonyl preferably designates the radicals in which the alkyl radical is as defined above such as for example methylcarbonyl and ethylcarbonyl. The term hydroxyalkyl designates the radicals in which the alkyl radical is as defined above such as for example hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl.

By alkenyl, unless specified otherwise, is meant a linear or branched alkyl radical containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms and having at least one unsaturation (double bond), such as for example vinyl, allyl, propenyl, butenyl or pentenyl. By alkynyl, unless specified otherwise, is meant a linear or branched alkyl radical containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms and having at least one double unsaturation (triple bond) such as for example an ethynyl, propargyl, butynyl or pentynyl radical.

The term alkoxy designates the radicals in which the alkyl radical is as defined above such as for example the methoxy, ethoxy, propyloxy or isopropyloxy radicals but also linear, secondary or tertiary butoxy, pentyloxy. The term alkoxy-carbonyl preferably designates the radicals in which the alkoxy radical is as defined above such as for example methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl. The term alkylthio designates the radicals in which the alkyl radical is as defined above such as for example methylthio, ethylthio. The term alkyldithio preferably designates the radicals in which the alkyl radical is as defined above such as for example methyldithio (CH₃—S—S—), ethyldithio or propyldithio.

The term (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl designates a saturated carbon monocyclic system comprising from 3 to 7 carbon atoms, and preferably the cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or cycloheptyl rings. The expression heterocycloalkyl designates a condensed monocyclic or bicyclic saturated system containing from 2 to 7 carbon atoms and at least one heteroatom. This radical can contain several identical or different heteroatoms. Preferably, the heteroatoms are chosen from oxygen, sulphur or nitrogen. As an example of heterocycloalkyl, the rings containing at least one nitrogen atom such as pyrrolidine, imidazolidine, pyrrazolidine, isothiazolidine, thiazolidine, isoxazolidine, oxazolidine, piperidine, piperazine, azepane, diazepane, morpholine, decahydroisoquinoline but also the rings not containing a nitrogen atom such as tetrahydrofuran or tetrahydrothiophene can be mentioned.

The term (C₅-C₉)bicycloalkyl designates a non-condensed saturated hydrocarbon bycyclic system containing from 5 to 9 carbon atoms, such as bicyclo-heptane such as for example bicylo[2,2,1]heptane, or bicyclo-octane such as for example bicyclo[2,2,2]octane or bicyclo[3,2,1]octane. The term heterobicycloalkyl designates a non-condensed saturated hydrocarbon bycyclic system containing 5 to 8 carbon atoms and at least one heteroatom chosen from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur. As an example of a heterobicycloalkyl, aza-bicycloheptane and aza-bicyclooctane such as 7-aza-bicyclo[2,2,1]heptane, 2-aza-bicyclo[2,2,2]octane or 6-aza-bicyclo[3,2,1]octane can be mentioned.

The expression aryl represents an aromatic radical, constituted by a condensed ring or rings, such as for example the phenyl, naphthyl or fluorenyl radical. The expression heteroaryl designates an aromatic radical, constituted by a condensed ring or rings, with at least one ring containing one or more identical or different heteroatoms chosen from sulphur, nitrogen or oxygen. As an example of a heteroaryl radical, the radicals containing at least one nitrogen atom such as pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, isothiazolyl, thiazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxazolyl, triazolyl, thiadiazolyl pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl, quinoxalinyl, indolyl, benzoxadiazoyl, carbazolyl but also the radicals not containing a nitrogen atom such as thienyl, benzothienyl, furyl, benzofuryl or pyranyl can be mentioned.

The term aralkyl (arylalkyl) preferably designates the radicals in which the aryl and alkyl radical are as defined above; as an example of arylalkyl, benzyl, phenethyl, phenylpropyl and phenylbutyl can be mentioned. The term aryl-carbonyl preferably designates the radicals in which the aryl radical is as defined above, such as for example phenylcarbonyl.

The terms alkylamino and dialkylamino preferably designate the radicals in which the alkyl radicals are as defined above, such as for example methylamino, ethylamino, dimethylamino, diethylamino or (methyl)(ethyl)amino.

Also in the present application, the (CH₂)_(i) radical (i an integer being able to represent n, n′, n″, p, p′, p″, s, s′, s″ and q″″ as defined above), represents a linear or branched hydrocarbon chain, of i carbon atoms.

A subject of the invention is also a compound of general formula (I′)

in racemic, enantiomeric form or all combinations of these forms and in which: A_(a) represents —CH₂— or —C(O)—; Y_(a) represents —S— or —NH—; R′₁ and R′₂ represent, independently, the hydrogen atom, a (C₁-C₈)alkyl, a (C₅-C₉)bicycloalkyl radical optionally substituted by one or more identical or different (C₁-C₆)alkyl radicals, or a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(n)—X in which

-   -   X represents, amino, (C₁-C₆)alkylamino, di((C₁-C₆)alkyl)amino,         (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, adamantyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl,         aryl-carbonyl or heteroaryl, or a radical of formula

-   -   the (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl and heteroaryl         radicals being optionally substituted by one or more identical         or different substituents chosen from: —(CH₂)_(n′)—X′—Y′, halo,         oxo, nitro, cyano, amino, (C₁-C₆)alkylamino and         di((C₁-C₈)alkyl)amino, hydroxy, N₃;     -   X′ represents —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —NH—C(O)—, —NH—SO₂— or         a covalent bond;     -   Y′ represents a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical optionally substituted by         one or more identical or different halo; heteroaryl or aryl or         heterocycloalkyl radicals optionally substituted by one or more         identical or different substituents chosen from: (C₁-C₆)alkyl,         (C₁-C₆)alkoxy, halo, nitro, cyano, amino, CF₃, OCF₃, hydroxy,         N₃, (C₁-C₆)alkylamino and di((C₁-C₈)alkyl)amino;     -   n represents an integer from 0 to 6 and n′ an integer from 0 to         2;     -   or R′₁ and R′₂ form together, with the nitrogen atom to which         they are attached, a heterocycloalkyl, a heterobicycloalkyl or a         radical of formula:

-   -   the radical which R′₁ and R′₂ form together being optionally         substituted by one or more identical or different substituents         chosen from:         -   —(CH₂)_(n″)—X″—Y″, oxo, hydroxy, halo, nitro, cyano;         -   X″ represents —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O— or a covalent bond;         -   Y″ represents a (C₁-C₆)alkyl, amino, (C₁-C₆)alkylamino,             di((C₁-C₆)alkyl)amino, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl,             arylalkyl, or aryl or heteroaryl radical optionally             substituted by one or more identical or different             substituents chosen from: (C₁-C₆)alkyl, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy,             (C₁-C₆)alkyl-carbonyl, halo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, CF₃,             OCF₃, amino, (C₁-C₆)alkylamino and di((C₁-C₆)alkyl)amino);             or a radical of formula

-   -   -   n″ represents an integer from 0 to 4;             R′₃ represents —(CH₂)_(p)—W₃—(CH₂)_(p′)—Z₃

    -   W₃ represents a covalent bond, —CH(OH)— or —C(O)—;

    -   Z₃ represents a (C₁-C₆)alkyl, adamantyl, aryl, a heteroaryl         radical, or a radical of formula

-   -   the aryl radical being optionally substituted by one or more         identical or different substituents chosen from:         —(CH₂)_(p″)—V₃—Y₃, halo, nitro, cyano, N₃, hydroxy;     -   V₃ represents —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —SO₂— or a covalent         bond;     -   Y₃ represents a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical optionally substituted by         one or more identical or different halo, amino,         (C₁-C₆)alkylamino, di((C₁-C₆)alkyl)amino, phenylcarbonylmethyl,         heterocycloalkyl or aryl radicals;     -   p, p′ and p″ represent, independently, an integer from 0 to 4;         R′₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s)—R″₄     -   R″₄ represents a heterocycloalkyl containing at least one         nitrogen atom and optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)alkyl or         aralkyl; a heteroaryl containing at least one nitrogen atom and         optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)alkyl; or a radical of formula         —NW₄W′₄     -   W₄ represents the hydrogen atom, (C₁-C₈)alkyl or         (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl;     -   W′₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s′)-Q₄-Z₄;     -   Q₄ represents a covalent bond,         —CH₂—CH(OH)—[CH₂]_(t)—[O]_(t′)—[CH₂]_(t″)— or —C(O)—O—;     -   t, t′ and t″ represent, independently, 0 or 1;     -   Z₄ represents the hydrogen atom, (C₁-C₈)alkyl,         (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl; heteroaryl; aryl optionally substituted by         one or more identical or different radicals chosen from formula         —(CH₂)_(q″)—V₄—Y₄, hydroxy, halo, nitro, cyano;         -   V₄ represents —O—, —S—, —NH—C(O)— or a covalent bond;         -   Y₄ represents a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical optionally substituted             by di((C₁-C₆)alkyl)amino or one or more identical or             different halo; amino; (C₁-C₆)alkylamino;             di((C₁-C₆)alkyl)amino; aralkyl; heterocycloalkyl radicals;         -   q″ represents an integer from 0 to 4;     -   or Z₄ represents a radical of formula

-   -   s and s′ represent, independently, an integer from 0 to 6;         or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.

A more particular subject of the present invention is a compound of formula I or I′ as defined above or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter, and in which A represents —C(O)—.

A more particular subject of the present invention is a compound of formula I as defined above or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter, and in which

-   -   the cycloalkyl that represents X is cyclohexyl or cycloheptyl,     -   the heterocycloalkyl that represents X is chosen from:         piperidine, pyrrolidine, thiazolidine, morpholine and         tetrahydrothiophene;     -   the aryl that represents X is the phenyl, naphthyl or fluorenyl         radical;     -   the aryl of the aryl-carbonyl radical that represents X, is the         phenyl radical;     -   the heteroaryl that represents X is chosen from: pyridine,         imidazole, thiophene, indole, carbazole and isoquinoline;     -   the heteroaryl that represents Y′ is chosen from oxazole and         imidazole;     -   the aryl that represents Y′ is the phenyl radical;     -   the heterocycloalkyl that represents Y′ is piperazine;     -   the heterocycloalkyl that R₁ and R₂ form together with the         nitrogen atom to which they are attached, is chosen from:         piperidine, piperazine, diazepane, thiazolidine and morpholine;     -   the cycloalkyl that represents Y″ is cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl;     -   the heterocycloalkyl that represents Y″ is chosen from:         piperidine, pyrrolidine and morpholine;     -   the arylalkyl and the aryl that represents Y″ are respectively         the benzyl radical and the phenyl radical;     -   the heteroaryl that represents Y″ is chosen from: pyridine,         pyrazine, furane and thiophene.

A more particular subject of the present invention is also a compound of formula I as defined above or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter, and in which

-   -   the aryl that represents Z₃ is the phenyl or naphthyl radical;     -   the heteroaryl that represents Z₃ is chosen from         benzo[b]thiophene and benzo[b]furanne;     -   the heterocycloalkyl and the aryl that represents Y₃ are         respectively the pyrrolidine and phenyl radicals.

A more particular subject of the present invention is also a compound of formula I as defined above or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter, and in which

-   -   the heterocycloalkyl that represents R″₄ is chosen from:         piperazine, piperidine, morpholine and pyrrolidine;     -   the aralkyl which optionally substitutes the heterocycloalkyl         that represents R″₄ is the benzyl radical;     -   the heteroaryl that represents R″₄ is imidazole;     -   the (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl that represents Z₄ is cyclopropyl,         cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or cycloheptyl;     -   the heteroaryl that represents Z₄ is chosen from: pyridine,         thiophene, indole and furane;     -   the aryl that represents Z₄ and is phenyl or naphthyl;     -   the aralkyl that represents Y₄ is benzyl;     -   the heterocycloalkyl that represents Y₄ is pyrrolidine;     -   the aralkyl which is substituted on the heterocycloalkyl that         form together W₄ and W′₄ is the benzyl radical.

Preferentially, a subject of the invention is a compound of formula I as defined above or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter and in which A represents —C(O)— and R₁ and R₂ represent, independently, the hydrogen atom, a ((C₁-C₈)alkyl radical or a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(n)—X in which

-   -   X represents, amino, di(alkyl)amino, adamentyl, cyclohexyl,         cycloheptyl, piperidine, morpholine, pyrrolidine, phenyl,         pyridine, imidazole, thiophene, indole, carbazole being         optionally substituted (C₁-C₆)alkyl, or a radical of formula

-   -   the piperidine, pyrrolidine and phenyl radicals being optionally         substituted by one or more identical or different substituents         chosen from: —(CH₂)_(n′)—X′—Y′, halo, oxo, amino and         di((C₁-C₈)alkyl)amino;     -   X′ represents —O—, —S—, —C(O)—O—, —NH—C(O)—, —NH—SO₂— or a         covalent bond;     -   Y′ represents a (C₁-C₆)alkyl, oxazole, phenyl radical optionally         substituted by (C₁-C₄)alkyl or piperazine optionally substituted         by (C₁-C₄)alkyl;     -   or R₁ and R₂ form together, with the nitrogen atom to which they         are attached, piperidine, piperazine and diazepane,         thiazolidine, morpholine, or a cyclic radical of formula:

-   -   the radical that R₁ and R₂ form together being optionally         substituted by one or more identical or different substituents         chosen from:         -   —(CH₂)_(n″)—X″—Y″;         -   X″ represents —C(O)—, —C(O)—O— or a covalent bond;         -   Y″ represents a (C₁-C₆)alkyl; di(alkyl)amino, cyclopentyl,             cyclohexyl, piperidine, pyrrolidine, morpholine, benzyl,             pyridine, pyrazine, furane, thiophene, or phenyl radical             optionally substituted by one or more identical or different             substituents chosen from (C₁-C₆)alkyl, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy,             (C₁-C₆)alkyl-carbonyl and halo; or Y″ represents a radical             of formula

Preferentially a subject of the invention is a compound of formula I as defined above or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter and in which A represents —C(O)— and R₃ represents —(CH₂)_(p)—W₃—(CH₂)_(p′)—Z₃

-   -   W₃ represents a covalent bond, —CH(OH)— or —C(O)—;     -   Z₃ represents a (C₁-C₆)alkyl, phenyl, naphthyl,         benzo[b]thiophene, benzo[b]furannyl radical, or a radical of         formula

-   -   the radical phenyl being optionally substituted by one or more         identical or different substituents chosen from:         —(CH₂)_(p″)—V₃—Y₃, halo, nitro, cyano;     -   V₃ represents —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —SO₂— or a covalent         bond;     -   Y₃ represents a (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical optionally substituted by         one or more identical or different halo; amino;         di((C₁-C₆)alkyl)amino; phenylcarbonylmethyl; pyrrolidine or         phenyl radicals;     -   p, p′ and p″ represent, independently, an integer from 0 to 2.

Preferentially a subject of the invention is a compound of formula I′ as defined above or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter and in which A_(a) represents —C(O)— and the radicals R′₁, R′₂, R′₃ and R′₄ have respectively the definitions of the R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ radicals as defined above.

Preferentially a subject of the invention is a compound of formula I as defined above or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter and in which A represents —C(O)— and R₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s)—R″₄

-   -   R″₄ represents the piperidine ring optionally substituted by         benzyl, piperazine optionally substituted by benzyl, or a         radical of formula —NW₄W′₄     -   W₄ represents the hydrogen atom or (C₁-C₈)alkyl;     -   W′₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s′)-Q₄-Z₄;     -   Q₄ represents a covalent bond, —CH₂—CH(OH)—, —CH₂—CH(OH)—CH₂—O—,         —CH₂—CH(OH)—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH(OH)—CH₂—O—CH₂— or —C(O)—O—;     -   Z₄ represents the hydrogen atom, (C₁-C₈)alkyl optionally         substituted by (C₁-C₆)alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)alkylthio,         (C₁-C₆)alkyldithio or one or two hydroxy; (C₂-C₆)alkenyl;         (C₂-C₆)alkynyl; cyclopropyl radicals optionally substituted by         alkoxycarbonyl; cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl optionally substituted         by hydroxyalkyl; cyclohexyl optionally substituted by one or         more alkyl; cycloheptyl, cyclohexene, adamantyl, pyridine,         thiophene, indole, furane, naphthyl; phenyl radicals optionally         substituted by one or more identical or different radicals         chosen from: —(CH₂)_(q″)—X₄—Y₄, hydroxy, halo and cyano;         -   X₄ represents —O— or a covalent bond;         -   Y₄ represents a (C₁-C₆)alkyl, di((C₁-C₆)alkyl)amino or             pyrrolidine radical.

Very preferentially a subject of the invention is also a compound of formula I as defined above in which A represents —C(O)—, Y represents —NH— and

-   -   R₁ and R₂ represent, independently, a (C₁-C₈)alkyl radical;     -   R₃ represents —(CH₂)_(p)—W₃—(CH₂)_(p′)—Z₃         -   W₃ represents a covalent bond; Z₃ represents the phenyl             radical substituted by one or more identical or different             substituents chosen from: —(CH₂)_(p″)—V₃—Y₃ and halo; V₃             represents —O— or —S—; and Y₃ represents a (C₁-C₆)alkyl             radical; p, p′ and p″ represent 0;     -   R₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s)—R″₄         -   R″₄ represents a radical of formula —NW₄W′₄         -   W₄ represents the hydrogen atom or (C₁-C₈)alkyl;         -   W′₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s′)-Q₄-Z₄;         -   Q₄ represents a covalent bond;         -   Z₄ represents the hydrogen atom, (C₁-C₈)alkyl optionally             substituted by hydroxy, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, aryl             optionally substituted by one or more identical or different             radicals chosen from formula —(CH₂)_(q″)—V₄—Y₄;         -   V₄ represents —O— or a covalent bond;         -   Y₄ represents a (C₁-C₆)alkyl or di((C₁-C₆)alkyl)amino             radical;         -   q″ represents 0; s represents an integer from 2 to 4, and s′             an integer from 1 to 2.             and very preferentially (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl is chosen from             cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl, the heteroaryl represents             pyridine and the aryl represents phenyl; or a             pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.

Preferentially, a subject of the invention is the invention is a compound of formula I′ as defined above or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter and in which A_(a) represents —C(O)—, Y_(a)—NH—, the R′₁, R′₂ and R′₃ radicals have respectively the definitions of the R₁, R₂ and R₃ radicals as defined above, and R′₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s)—R″₄

-   -   R″₄ represents a radical of formula —NW₄W′₄     -   W₄ represents the hydrogen atom or (C₁-C₉)alkyl;     -   W′₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s′)-Q₄-Z₄;     -   Q₄ represents a covalent bond;     -   Z₄ represents the hydrogen atom, (C₁-C₈)alkyl,         (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, aryl optionally substituted by         one or more identical or different radicals chosen from formula         —(CH₂)_(q″)—V₄—Y₄;         -   V₄ represents —O— or a covalent bond;         -   Y₄ represents a (C₁-C₆)alkyl or di((C₁-C₆)alkyl)amino             radical;         -   q″ represents 0; s represents an integer from 2 to 4, and s′             an integer from 1 to 2.             and very preferentially the (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl is chosen from             cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl, the heteroaryl represents             pyridine and the aryl phenyl; or a pharmaceutically             acceptable salt of the latter.

Very preferentially, a subject of the invention is also a compound of formula I as defined above in which A represents —C(O)—, Y represents the sulphur atom and

-   -   R₁ and R₂ represent, independently, a (C₁-C₈)alkyl radical;     -   R₃ represents —(CH₂)_(p)—W₃—(CH₂)_(p′)—Z₃         -   W₃ represents a covalent bond or —C(O)—; Z₃ represents the             phenyl radical substituted by one or more identical or             different substituents chosen from: —(CH₂)_(p″)—V₃—Y₃ and             halo; V₃ represents —O— or a covalent bond; and Y₃             represents a (C₁-C₆)alkyl or di((C₁-C₆)alkyl)amino radical;             p represents 1, and p′ and p″ represent 0;     -   R₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s)—R″₄         -   R″₄ represents a radical of formula —NW₄W′₄         -   W₄ represents the hydrogen atom or (C₁-C₈)alkyl         -   W′₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s′)-Q₄-Z₄;         -   Q₄ represents a covalent bond;             -   Z₄ represents the hydrogen atom, (C₁-C₈)alkyl,                 heteroaryl, aryl     -   s represents an integer from 2 to 4, and s′ an integer from 1 to         2,         and very preferentially the heteroaryl represents pyridine and         the aryl phenyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the         latter.

Preferentially, a subject of the invention is a compound of formula I′ as defined above or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter and in which A_(a) represents —C(O)—, Y_(a) a sulphur atom and the R′₁, R′₂, R′₃ and R′₄ radicals have respectively the definitions of the R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ radicals as defined above when A represents —C(O)— and Y a sulphur atom.

Preferentially, a subject of the invention is also a compound of formula I as defined above in which A represents —CH₂—, Y —NH— and R₁ and R₂ represent, independently, a ((C₁-C₆)alkyl radical; R₃ represents a phenyl substituted by one or more identical or different (C₁-C₆)alkoxy substituents; R₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s)—R″₄; R″₄ represents a radical of formula —NW₄W′₄; W₄ represents (C₁-C₈)alkyl; W′₄ represents a radical of formula —(CH₂)_(s′)-Q₄-Z₄; Q₄ represents a covalent bond and Z₄ represents pyridine; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter.

Preferentially, a subject of the invention is a compound of formula I′ as defined above or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the latter and in which A_(a) represents —CH₂—, Y_(a)—NH— and the R′₁, R′₂, R′₃ and R′₄ radicals have respectively the definitions of the R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ radicals as defined above when A represents —CH₂— and Y—NH—.

In the present application, the symbol ->* corresponds to the point of attachment of the radical. When the attachment site is not specified on the radical, this means that the attachment is carried out on one of the available sites for such attachment of this radical.

According to the definitions of the variable groups A, Y, R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄, the compounds according to the invention can be prepared in liquid phase according to the different procedures A to H described below.

A. Preparation According to Reaction Diagram A:

The compounds of formula I according to the invention in which Y represents —NH— and A represents —C(O)—, can be prepared according to the following Diagram A:

As described in Diagram A, 4-fluoro-3-nitrobenzoic acid (1) can be coupled with a primary or secondary amine in the presence of a coupling agent such as diisopropylcarbodiimide, dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, with or without 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt), in an inert organic solvent such as methylene chloride, tetrahydrofuran or dimethylformamide at ambient temperature for 3 to 24 hours in order to produce the corresponding amide (2). Treatment of the fluorinated derivative (2) with a primary amine in the presence of an inorganic base such as cesium or potassium carbonate in an inert organic solvent such as dimethylformamide or acetonitrile at a temperature of 20-70° C. for 2 to 16 hours leads to derivative (3). The nitro function of the compound (3) is reduced by treatment with tin chloride dihydrate in an inert solvent such as ethyl acetate or dimethylformamide at a temperature, of 60-80° C. for 3 to 15 hours, or by catalytic hydrogenation in the presence of 10% palladium on carbon in an inert solvent such as methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate or a mixture of these solvents, at a temperature of 18-25° C., for 2 to 8 hours in order to produce dianiline (4). Derivative (4) is then treated with an isothiocyanate in the presence of a resin-supported or non resin-supported coupling agent such as diisopropylcarbodiimide or dicyclohexylcarbodiimide or N-methylcyclohexylcarbodiimide N-methyl polystyrene resin in an inert solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, methylene chloride, or chloroform at a temperature of 20-70° C. for 2 to 72 hours in order to produce derivative (5). Alternatively, derivative (4) can be treated with an isothiocyanate in an inert solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, methylene chloride or chloroform then the resulting thiourea can be treated with methyl iodide in a polar solvent such as ethanol for 3 to 24 hours at a temperature of 20-70° C. in order to produce (5).

EXAMPLE A1 N,N-diisobutyl-1-{3-[methyl(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)amino]propyl}-2-[(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)amino]-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide Hydrochloride

Stage 1: 4-fluoro-N,N-diisobutyl-3-nitrobenzamide

Diisopropylcarbodiimide (13.8 ml, 1.2 eq) is added to 4-fluoro-3-nitrobenzoic acid (15 g, 1 eq) in solution in THF (150 ml). The mixture is stirred for 3 hours at a temperature of approximately 20° C. then diisobutylamine (12.9 ml, 1 eq) is added. After stirring for 15 hours at approximately 20° C., the reaction mixture is evaporated under reduced pressure at 40° C. The residue is taken up in dichloromethane (200 ml) and water (70 ml). After decantation and extraction, the combined organic phases are washed with salt water, followed by drying over Na₂SO₄ then evaporating under reduced pressure at 40° C. Purification of the compound by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: heptane/ethyl acetate 8:2) produces the expected compound in the form of a yellow solid (13.8 g; 63% yield).

MS/LC: MW calculated=296.3; m/z=297.2 (MH+)−Melting point=47° C.

Stage 2: N,N-diisobutyl-4-({3-[methyl(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)amino]propyl}amino)-3-nitrobenzamide

A mixture of 4-fluoro-N,N-diisobutyl-3-nitrobenzamide (2.07 g, 1 eq), N-(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)propane-1,3-diamine (1.6 g, 1.2 eq) and cesium carbonate (4.5 g, 2 eq) in acetonitrile (70 ml) is heated under reflux for 3 hours then concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. The residue is taken up in dichloromethane (100 ml) and water (40 ml). After decantation and extraction, the combined organic phases are washed with salt water, dried over Na₂SO₄ then evaporated under reduced pressure at 40° C. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: dichloromethane 100 to dichloromethane/methanol 8:2) produces the expected compound in the form of a yellow oil (3.1 g; 92% yield).

MS/LC: MW calculated=469.6; m/z=470.3 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ0.79 (m, 12H), 1.75 (m, 2H), 1.90 (m, 2H), 2.23 (s, 3H), 2.48 (t, 3H, ³J=6 Hz), 2.71 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 2.87 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 3.19 (d, 4H, ³J=7 Hz), 3.33 (m, 2H), 7.01 (d, 1H), 7.10 (m, 1H), 7.23 (d, 1H), 7.50 (m, 1H), 7.60 (m, 1H), 7.99 (s, 1H), 8.41 (m, 1H), 8.59 (t, 1H, ³J=5 Hz).

Stage 3: 3-amino-N,N-diisobutyl-4-({3-[methyl(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)amino]propyl}amino) Benzamide

N,N-diisobutyl-4-({3-[methyl(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)amino]propyl}amino)-3-nitrobenzamide (2.9 g) in solution in an ethyl acetate/ethanol mixture (100 ml), and 10% palladium on carbon (290 mg) are added together in an autoclave. After stirring for 7 hours under a hydrogen atmosphere (3 bars), the catalyst is eliminated by filtration on Celite and the filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. in order to produce the expected compound in the form of an oil (2.5 g, 92% yield).

MS/LC: MW calculated=439.6; m/z=440.3 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 0.77 (m, 12H), 1.71 (m, 2H), 1.90 (m, 2H), 2.22 (s, 3H), 2.47 (m, 3H), 2.70 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 2.87 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 3.0 (m, 2H), 3.17 (d, 4H, ³J=7.5 Hz), 4.62 (s, 2H), 4.71 (s, 1H), 6.33 (d, 1H), 6.50 (d, 1H), 6.57 (s, 1H), 7.15 (m, 1H), 7.25 (d, 1H), 7.63 (m, 1H), 8.45 (m, 1H).

Stage 4: N,N-diisobutyl-1-{3-[methyl(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)amino]propyl}-2-[(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)amino]-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide Hydrochloride

3,4,5 trimethoxyphenylisothiocyanate (27 mg, 1.2 eq) and N-methylcyclohexylcarbodiimide-N-methyl-polystyrene resin (acquired from Novabiochem; load 1.69 mmol/g, 236 mg, 4 eq) are added successively to a solution of 3-amino-N,N-diisobutyl-4-({3-[methyl(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)amino]propyl}amino) benzamide (48 mg, 1 eq) in tetrahydrofuran (2 ml). The mixture is heated under reflux for 18 hours then cooled down to ambient temperature and aminomethyl polystyrene resin (acquired from Novabiochem, 2 eq) is added. After stirring for 4 hours at ambient temperature, the mixture is filtered on frit and the filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. The residue obtained is dissolved in ethyl ether and a solution of 1N HCl in ethyl ether is added dropwise in order to produce the expected compound in the form of the hydrochloride salt (80 mg, 89% yield).

MS/LC: MW calculated=630.8; m/z=631.4 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ0.66 (m, 6H), 0.91 (m, 6H), 1.71-2.03 (m, 2H), 2.49 (m, 2H), 2.86 (s, 3H), 3.01-3.72 (m, 10H), 3.81 (s, 3H), 3.88 (s, 6H), 4.58 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 6.93 (s, 2H), 7.30 (m, 2H), 7.60 (m, 1H), 7.70 (m, 1H), 7.82 (d, 1H), 8.12 (m, 1H), 8.67 (d, 1H), 11.2 (s, 1H), 11.7 (s, 1H), 13.0 (s, 1H).

EXAMPLE A2 1-{3-[benzyl(methyl)amino]propyl}-2-[(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)amino]-N,N-diisobutyl-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide Hydrochloride

Stage 1: 3-amino-4-({3-[benzyl(methyl)amino]propyl}amino)-N,N-diisobutyl Benzamide

Tin chloride dihydrate (3.58 g, 5 eq) is added to a solution of 4-({3-[benzyl(methyl)amino]propyl}amino)-N,N-diisobutyl-3-nitrobenzamide (1.44 g, prepared according to the procedure described for Example A1), in ethyl acetate (40 ml). The mixture is heated under reflux for 7 hours then cooled down to a temperature of approximately 20° C. and poured into a saturated solution of NaHCO₃. After decanting and extracting with ethyl acetate, the organic phases are combined, washed with salt water, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. Purification by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent dichloromethane/methanol 95:5) produces the compound in the form of a foam (1.06 g, 78% yield).

MS/LC: MW calculated=424.3; m/z=425.3 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 0.77 (m, 12H), 1.78 (m, 2H), 1.90 (m, 2H), 2.12 (s, 3H), 2.49 (m, 3H), 3.06 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 3.17 (d, 4H, ³J=7.5 Hz), 3.48 (s, 2H), 4.61 (s, 2H), 4.72 (s, 1H), 6.38 (d, 1H), 6.51 (m, 1H), 6.59 (s, 1H), 7.19-7.30 (m, 5H).

Stage 2: 1-{3-[benzyl(methyl)amino]propyl}-2-[(3,5-dimethoxy phenyl)amino]-N,N-diisobutyl-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide Hydrochloride

3,4 dimethoxyphenylisothiocyanate (35 mg, 1.2 eq) and N-methylcyclohexylcarbodiimide-N-methyl-polystyrene resin (acquired from Novabiochem; charge 1.69 mmol/g, 355 mg, 4 eq) are added successively to a solution of 3-amino-4-({3-[benzyl(methyl)amino]propyl}amino)-N,N-diisobutylbenzamide (65 mg, 1 eq) in tetrahydrofuran (2 ml). The mixture is heated under reflux for 18 hours then cooled down to ambient temperature and aminomethyl polystyrene resin (acquired from Novabiochem, 2 eq) is added. After stirring for 4 hours at ambient temperature, the mixture is filtered on frit and the filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. The residue obtained is dissolved in ethyl ether and a 1N solution of HCl in ethyl ether is added dropwise in order to produce the expected compound in the form of the hydrochloride salt (81 mg, 92% yield).

MS/LC: MW calculated=585.3; m/z=586.5 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 0.85 (m, 6H), 0.92 (m, 6H), 1.85 (m, 1H), 2.05 (m, 1H), 2.28 (m, 2H), 2.86 (s, 3H), 3.08-3.3 (m, 6H), 3.78 (s, 6H), 4.20-4.40 (m, 2H), 4.50 (m, 2H), 6.42 (s, 1H), 6.90 (m, 2H), 7.22 (m, 1H), 7.22-7.64 (m, 8H), 10.98 (m, 1H).

The following compounds were prepared according to reaction diagram A and in a similar manner to the procedure described for the synthesis of N,N-diisobutyl-1-{3-[methyl(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)amino]propyl}-2-[(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)amino]-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide or 1-{3-[benzyl(methyl)amino]propyl}-2-[(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)amino]-N,N-diisobutyl-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide:

In the above formula, R₁R₂N represents one of the radicals below:

R₃ represents one of the radicals below

and R₄ represents one of the radicals below (when R₄ represents a radical comprising a secondary amine termination, for example propylaminomethyl, the compounds were obtained by catalytic hydrogenation in the presence of palladium on carbon of the corresponding N-benzyl derivatives; and when R₄ represents a radical comprising a primary amine termination, for example ethylamino, the compounds were obtained by acid treatment of the corresponding derivatives protected by a tertbutoxycarbonyl group).

B. Preparation According to Reaction Diagram B:

The compounds of formula I according to the invention in which Y represents —S— and A represents —C(O)—, can be prepared according to the following Diagram B:

As described in Diagram B, the dianiline (4) can be treated with thiocarbonyldiimidazole (TCD) or thiophosgene in an inert organic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, methylene chloride or chloroform at ambient temperature for 2 to 17 hours in order to produce derivative (6). Compound (6) is then alkylated by reaction with a halogen derivative such as an alkyl or benzyl iodide, bromide or chloride or a bromoketone, in the presence of a tertiary base such as triethyl amine or diisopropylethylamine, or in the presence of a resin-supported tertiary base such as morpholinomethyl polystyrene resin, in an inert organic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, choroform or methylene chloride, at a temperature of 20-70° C. for 3 to 24 hours. The resulting thiobenzimidazole (7) can be isolated, either by flash chromatography on silica gel, or by adding to the reaction mixture a polymer-supported nucleophilic reagent such as for example an aminomethyl polystyrene resin, and a polymer-supported electrophilic reagent such as for example 4-bromomethylphenoxymethyl polystyrene resin, followed by filtration and evaporation of the filtrate.

EXAMPLE B1 N,N-diisobutyl-1-{3-[methyl(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)amino]propyl}-2-{[2-oxo-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]thio}-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide

Stage 1: N,N-diisobutyl-1-{3-[methyl(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)amino]propyl}-2-thioxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide

A mixture of 3-amino-N,N-diisobutyl-4-({3-[methyl(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)amino]propyl}amino) benzamide (1.52 g, 1 eq) and thiocarbonyldiimidazole (0.74 g, 1.2 eq) in THF (30 ml) is stirred at approximately 20° C. for 15 hours. After concentration under reduced pressure at 40° C., the residue obtained is taken up in dichloromethane (80 ml) and water (30 ml). After decanting and extracting, the combined organic phases are washed with salt water, dried over Na₂SO₄ then evaporated under reduced pressure at 40° C. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: 100% dichloromethane to dichloromethane/methanol 8:2) produces the expected compound in the form of a light beige foam (1.2 g; 72% yield).

MS/LC: MW calculated=481.7; m/z=482.3 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ0.64 (m, 6H), 0.91 (m, 6H), 1.79-2.03 (m, 4H), 2.18 (s, 3H), 2.37 (t, 3H, ³J=6.5 Hz), 2.66 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 2.83 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 3.19 (m, 2H), 3.24 (m, 2H), 4.16 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 7.05-7.65 (m, 6H), 8.43 (d, 1H), 12.79 (s, 1H).

Stage 2: N,N-diisobutyl-1-{3-[methyl(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)amino]propyl}-2-{[2-oxo-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]thio}-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide

Morpholinomethylpolystyrene resin (acquired from Novabiochem, 2 eq) and 2-bromo-1-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)ethanone are added successively to a solution of N,N-diisobutyl-1-{3-[methyl(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)amino]propyl}-2-thioxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide in tetrahydrofuran. The mixture is stirred for 15 hours at approximately 20° C. then tetrahydrofuran, aminomethylpoystyrene resin (2 eq, acquired from Novabiochem) and 4-bromomethylphenoxymethyl-polystyrene resin (3 eq, acquired from Novabiochem) are added. After stirring for 6 hours, the mixture is filtered on frit. The filtrate is then concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure at 40° C. in order to produce the expected compound.

MS/LC: MW calculated=689.9; m/z=690.5 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ0.61 (m, 6H), 0.91 (m, 6H), 1.71-2.03 (m, 4H), 2.19 (s, 3H), 2.35 (t, 3H, ³J=6.5 Hz), 2.67 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 2.85 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 3.08-3.30 (m, 4H), 3.75 (s, 3H), 3.84 (s, 6H), 4.15 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 5.09 (s, 2H), 7.11-7.67 (m, 8H), 8.45 (d, 1H).

The following compounds were prepared according to reaction diagram B and in a similar manner to the procedure described for the synthesis of N,N-diisobutyl-1-{3-[methyl(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)amino]propyl}-2-{[2-oxo-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]thio}-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide

In the above formula, R₁R₂N represents one of the radicals below:

R₃ represents one of the radicals below

and R₄ represents one of the radicals below

C. Preparation According to Reaction Diagram C:

The compounds of formula I according to the invention in which Y represents —NH— and A represents —C(O)—, can be prepared according to the following Diagram C:

As described in Diagram C, 4-fluoro-3-nitrobenzoic acid can be converted to methyl ester (8) by formation of a carboxylate salt using an inorganic base such as lithium hydroxide dihydrate or cesium carbonate, at ambient temperature for 30 minutes to 2 hours, in an inert organic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, followed by the addition of dimethylsulphate at ambient temperature and stirring under reflux for 5 to 15 hours. The fluorinated derivative (8) can be treated with a primary amine in the presence of an inorganic base such as cesium or potassium carbonate in an inert organic solvent such as dimethylformamide or acetonitrile at a temperature of 20-70° C. for 2 to 16 hours in order to produce derivative (9). The nitro function of compound (9) is reduced by treatment with tin chloride dihydrate in an inert solvent such as ethyl acetate or dimethylformamide, at a temperature of 60-80° C. for 3 to 15 hours, or by catalytic hydrogenation in the presence of 10% palladium on carbon in an inert solvent such as methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate or a mixture of these solvents, at a temperature of 18-25° C., for 2 to 8 hours, in order to produce dianiline (10). Derivative (10) is then treated with an isothiocyanate in the presence of a coupling agent such as diisopropylcarbodiimide or dicyclohexylcarbodiimide in an inert solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, methylene chloride or chloroform at a temperature of 20-70° C. for 2 to 72 hours in order to produce derivative (11). Alternatively, derivative (10) can be treated with an isothiocyanate in an inert solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, methylene chloride or chloroform, then the resulting thiourea can be treated with methyl iodide in a polar solvent such as ethanol for 3 to 24 hours at a temperature of 20-70° C. in order to produce (11). The methyl ester (11) can then be saponified in the presence of an inorganic base such as lithium hydroxide dihydrate in a mixture of polar solvents such as water and tetrahydrofuran at a temperature of 20 to 70° C. for 3 to 17 hours. The resulting acid (12) can be coupled with a primary or secondary amine in the presence of a coupling agent such as diisopropylcarbodiimide, dicyclohexylcarbodiimide or carbonyldiimidazole, with or without 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) in an inert organic solvent such as methylene chloride, tetrahydrofuran or dimethylformamide at ambient temperature for 3 to 24 hours. The corresponding amide (13) can be isolated, either by flash chromatography on silica gel, or by adding to the reaction mixture a polymer-supported nucleophilic reagent such as for example an aminomethyl polystyrene resin and a polymer-supported electrophilic reagent such as for example methylisothiocyanate polystyrene resin, followed by filtration and evaporation of the filtrate.

EXAMPLE C1 1-(2-[(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)amino]-1-{3-[methyl(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)amino]propyl}-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl)-3-thien-2-yl propan-1-one

Stage 1: methyl 4-fluoro-3-nitrobenzoate

Lithium hydroxide monohydrate (4.5 g, 1 eq) is added in small portions to a solution of 4-fluoro-3-nitrobenzoic acid (20 g, 1 eq) in tetrahydrofuran (100 ml). After stirring for 1 hour at approximately 20° C., dimethylsulphate (10.2 ml) is added dropwise to the yellow precipitate. The reaction mixture is then heated under reflux for 8 hours then concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. The residue is diluted in dichloromethane and Na₂CO₃ saturated water. After decanting and extracting, the combined organic phases are washed with salt water, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. The yellow solid obtained is recrystallized from a diethyl ether/petroleum ether mixture in order to produce the expected compound in the form of a light yellow powder (16.7 g, 78% yield). Melting point=59° C.

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ3.99 (s, 3H), 7.39 (m, 1H), 8.33 (s, 1H), 8.74 (s, 1H).

Stage 2: methyl 4-({3-[methyl(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)amino]propyl}amino)-3-nitro Benzoate

A mixture of methyl 4-fluoro-3-nitrobenzoate (5.08 g, 1 eq), of N-(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)propane-1,3-diamine (5.4 g, 1.2 eq) and potassium carbonate (7.0 g, 2 eq) in acetonitrile (180 ml) is heated under reflux for 3 hours then concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. The residue is taken up in dichloromethane (150 ml) and water (60 ml). After decanting and extracting, the combined organic phases are washed with salt water, dried over Na₂SO₄ then evaporated under reduced pressure at 40° C. Purification of the compound by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: dichloromethane to dichloromethane/methanol 9:1) produces the expected compound in the form of an orange-coloured oil (9.2 g; 97% yield).

MS/LC: MW calculated=372.4; m/z=373.3 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 1.75 (m, 2H), 2.23 (s, 3H), 2.48 (t, 3H, ³J=6 Hz), 2.71 (t, 2H, ³J=7.8 Hz), 2.86 (t, 2H, ³J=7.8 Hz), 3.35 (m, 2H), 3.81 (s, 3H), 7.05 (d, 1H), 7.10 (m, 1H), 7.23 (d, 1H), 7.59 (m, 1H), 7.93 (m, 1H), 8.40 (d, 1H), 8.59 (s, 1H), 8.87 (t, 1H, ³J=5 Hz).

Stage 3: methyl 3-amino-4-({3-[methyl(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)amino]propyl}amino) Benzoate

Methyl 4-({3-[methyl(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)amino]propyl}amino)-3-nitrobenzoate (9.1 g) in solution in an ethyl acetate/methanol mixture and 10% palladium on carbon (910 mg) are added together in an autoclave. After stirring for 4 hours under a hydrogen atmosphere (3 bars), the catalyst is eliminated by filtration on Celite and the filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. in order to produce the expected compound in the form of an oil (8.2 g, 98% yield).

MS/LC: MW calculated=342.4; m/z=343.3 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 1.71 (m, 2H), 2.21 (s, 3H), 2.46 (t, 3H, ³J=6.8 Hz), 2.68 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 2.86 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 3.05 (m, 2H), 3.71 (s, 3H), 4.70 (s, 2H), 5.23 (t, 1H, ³J=7 Hz), 6.37 (d, 1H), 7.14-7.26 (m, 4H), 7.64 (m, 1H), 8.45 (m, 1H).

Stage 4: methyl-2-[(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)amino]-1-{3-[methyl(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)amino]propyl}-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylate

3,5 dimethoxyphenylisothiocyanate (571 mg, 1 eq) and diisopropylcarbodiimide (1.35 ml, 4 eq) are added successively to a solution of methyl 3-amino-4-({3-[methyl(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)amino]propyl}amino)benzoate (1.0 g, 1 eq) in tetrahydrofuran (10 ml). The mixture is heated under reflux for 18 hours then cooled down to ambient temperature and concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. The residue is taken up in ethyl acetate (100 ml) and water (40 ml). After decanting and extracting, the combined organic phases are washed with salt water, dried over Na₂SO₄ then evaporated under reduced pressure at 40° C. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: dichloromethane/methanol 99:1 to 98:2) produces the expected compound in the form of a beige foam (1.12 g; 76% yield).

MS/LC: MW calculated=503.6 m/z=504.3 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 2.08 (m, 2H), 2.40 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 2.45 (s, 3H), 2.99 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 3.09 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 3.82 (s, 6H), 3.93 (s, 3H), 4.01 (t, 2H, ³J=6 Hz), 6.15 (m, 1H), 6.92-7.54 (m, 6H), 7.87 (m, 1H), 8.25 (s, 1H), 8.51 (m, 1H), 9.37 (s, 1H).

Stage 5: 2-[(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)amino]-1-{3-[methyl(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)amino]propyl}-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylic Acid

Lithium hydroxide (0.350 g, 4 eq) is added to a solution of methyl-2-[(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)amino]-1-{3-[methyl(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)amino]propyl}-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylate (1.05 g, 1 eq) in a mixture of tetrahydrofuran (10 ml) and water (5 ml). The mixture is stirred at 65° C. for 18 hours then cooled down to ambient temperature and concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. Ethyl acetate and water are added to the residue. The mixture is acidified by adding acetic acid to pH 5. After decanting and extracting, the combined organic phases are dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: dichloromethane/ethanol 95/5 to 70/30) produces the expected compound in the form of a white foam (0.93 g, 91% yield).

MS/LC: MW calculated=489.6; m/z=490.1 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 1.88 (m, 2H), 2.23 (s, 3H), 2.31 (t, 2H, ³J=6.5 Hz), 2.74 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 2.91 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 3.72 (s, 6H), 4.14 (t, 2H, ³J=6.5 Hz), 6.14 (m, 1H), 7.09-7.72 (m, 8H), 7.93 (s, 1H), 8.44 (m, 1H), 9.21 (s, 1H).

Stage 6: 1-(2-[(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)amino]-1-{3-[methyl(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)amino]propyl}-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl)-3-thien-2-ylpropan-1-one

Carbonyldiimidazole (10.5 mg, 1.3 eq) in solution in chloroform (0.2 ml) is added to a solution of 2-[(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)amino]-1-{3-[methyl(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)amino]propyl}-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylic acid (24 mg, 1 eq) in a mixture of dimethylformamide (0.2 ml) and tetrahydrofuran (0.4 ml). The mixture is stirred for 15 hours at approximately 20° C. then thiophene-2-ethylamine (13 mg, 2 eq) in solution in tetrahydrofuran (0.1 ml) is added. After stirring for 15 hours at approximately 20° C., aminomethyl polystyrene resin (2 eq), TBD-methyl polystyrene resin (2 eq) and methylisothiocyanate polystyrene resin (4 eq) are added to the mixture diluted in dichloromethane. After stirring for 6 hours at approximately 20° C., the mixture is filtered and the filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. in order to produce the expected compound in the form of an oil (27 mg, 90% yield).

MS/LC: MW calculated=598.8; m/z=599.2 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 1.87 (m, 2H), 2.26 (s, 3H), 2.48 (t, 2H, ³J=6.5 Hz), 2.78 (m, 2H), 2.93 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 3.08 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 3.50 (m, 2H), 3.72 (s, 6H), 4.14 (t, 2H, ³J=6.5 Hz), 6.14 (m, 1H), 6.92-7.93 (m, 12H), 8.45 (m, 1H), 9.16 (s, 1H).

The following compounds were prepared according to reaction diagram C and in a similar manner to the procedure described for the synthesis of 1-(2-[(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)amino]-1-{3-[methyl (2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)amino]propyl}-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl)-3-thien-2-ylpropan-1-one:

In the above formula, R₁R₂N represents one of the radicals below:

R₃ represents one of the radicals below:

and R₄ represents one of the radicals below:

D. Preparation According to Reaction Diagram D:

The compounds of formula I according to the invention in which Y represents —S— and A represents —C(O)—, can be prepared according to the following Diagram D:

As described in Diagram D, dianiline (10) can be treated with thiocarbonyldiimidazole (TCD) or thiophosgene in an inert organic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, at ambient temperature for 2 to 17 hours in order to produce derivative (14). Compound (14) is then alkylated by reacting with a halogenated derivative such as an alkyl or benzyl iodide, bromide or chloride or a bromoketone, in the presence of a tertiary base such as triethylamine or diisopropylethylamine, in an inert organic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, choroform or methylene chloride, at a temperature of 20-70° C. for 3 to 24 hours in order to produce the thiobenzimidazole derivative (15). The methyl ester (15) can then be saponified in the presence of an inorganic base such as lithium hydroxide monohydrate in a mixture of polar solvents such as water and tetrahydrofuran at a temperature of 20 to 70° C. for 3 to 17 hours. The resulting acid (16) can be coupled with a primary or secondary amine in the presence of a coupling agent such as diisopropylcarbodiimide, dicyclohexylcarbodiimide or carbonyldiimidazole, with or without 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) in an inert organic solvent such as methylene chloride, tetrahydrofuran or dimethylformamide at ambient temperature for 3 to 24 hours. The corresponding amide (17) can be isolated, either by flash chromatography on silica gel, or by adding a polymer-supported nucleophilic reagent such as for example an aminomethyl polystyrene resin and a polymer-supported electrophilic reagent such as for example methylisothiocyanate polystyrene resin to the reaction mixture, followed by filtration and evaporation of the filtrate.

EXAMPLE D1 3-(2-[(3-bromobenzyl)sulphanyl]-5-{[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-1-piperidinyl]carbonyl}-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)-N-methyl-N-[2-(2-pyridinyl)ethyl]-1-propanamine

Stage 1: methyl 1-{3-[methyl(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)amino]propyl}-2-thioxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylate

A mixture of methyl 3-amino-4-({3-[methyl(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)amino]propyl}amino)benzoate (4.09 g, 1 eq) and thiocarbonyldiimidazole (2.77 g, 1.3 eq) in tetrahydrofuran (100 ml) is stirred at approximately 20° C. for 15 hours. After concentration under reduced pressure at 40° C., the residue obtained is taken up in dichloromethane (150 ml) and water (50 ml). After decanting and extracting, the combined organic phases are washed with salt water, dried over Na₂SO₄ then evaporated under reduced pressure at 40° C. Purification by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: 100% dichloromethane to dichloromethane/methanol 9:1) produces the expected compound in the form of a foam (3.94 g; 85% yield).

MS/LC: MW calculated=384.5; m/z=385.2 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 1.86 (m, 2H), 2.18 (s, 3H), 2.37 (t, 3H, ³J=6.8 Hz), 2.65 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 2.84 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 3.85 (s, 3H), 4.16 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 7.16-7.81 (m, 6H), 8.44 (m, 1H), 12.95 (s, 1H).

Stage 2: methyl 2-[(3-bromobenzyl)thio]-1-{3-[methyl(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)amino]propyl}-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylate

Triethylamine (0.82 ml, 1.6 eq) and 3-bromobenzylbromide (0.97 g, 1 eq) are added successively to a solution of methyl 1-{3-[methyl(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)amino]propyl}-2-thioxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylate (1.5 g) in tetrahydrofuran (30 ml). The mixture is stirred for 15 hours at approximately 20° C. then concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. The residue obtained is diluted in ethyl acetate and water. After decanting and extracting, the organic phases are washed with salt water, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. Purification by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: dichloromethane/methanol 95/5 to 90/10) produces the expected compound in the form of a colourless oil (1.5 g; 70% yield).

MS/LC: MW calculated=553.5; m/z=553.3 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ1.76 (m, 2H), 2.14 (s, 3H), 2.27 (t, 3H, ³J=6.5 Hz), 2.62 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 2.81 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 3.86 (s, 3H), 4.06 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 4.61 (s, 2H), 7.15-7.82 (m, 9H), 8.13 (s, 1H), 8.43 (d, 1H).

Stage 3: 2-[(3-bromobenzyl)thio]-1-{3-[methyl(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)amino]propyl}-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylic Acid

Lithium hydroxide (0.315 g, 3 eq) is added to a solution of methyl 2-[(3-bromobenzyl)thio]-1-{3-[methyl(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)amino]propyl}-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylate (1.03 g, 1 eq) in a mixture of tetrahydrofuran (10 ml) and water (5 ml). The mixture is heated under reflux for 18 hours then cooled down to ambient temperature and concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. Ethyl acetate and water are added to the residue. The mixture is acidified by adding acetic acid to pH 5. After decanting and extracting, the combined organic phases are dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: dichloromethane/methanol 95/5 to 80/20) produces the expected compound in the form of a foam (0.85 g, 85% yield).

MS/LC: MW calculated=539.5; m/z=539.2 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ1.76 (m, 2H), 2.14 (s, 3H), 2.29 (t, 3H, ³J=6.5 Hz), 2.62 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 2.82 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 4.04 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 4.61 (s, 2H), 7.15-7.82 (m, 9H), 8.10 (s, 1H), 8.43 (d, 1H).

Stage 4: 3-(2-[(3-bromobenzyl)sulphanyl]-5-{[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-1-piperidinyl]carbonyl}-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)-N-methyl-N-[2-(2-pyridinyl)ethyl]-1-propanamine

Carbonyldiimidazole (10.5 mg, 1.3 eq) in solution in chloroform (0.2 ml) is added to a solution of 2-[(3-bromobenzyl)thio]-1-{3-[methyl(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)amino]propyl}-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylic acid (27 mg, 1 eq) in a mixture of dimethylformamide (0.2 ml) and tetrahydrofuran (0.4 ml). The mixture is stirred for 15 hours at approximately 20° C. then 4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)piperidine (15 mg, 2 eq) is added. After stirring for 15 hours at approximately 20° C., aminomethyl polystyrene resin (2 eq, acquired from Novabiochem), TBD-methyl polystyrene resin (2 eq, acquired from Novabiochem) and methylisothiocyanate polystyrene resin (4 eq, acquired from Novabiochem) are added to the mixture diluted in dichloromethane. After stirring for 6 hours at approximately 20° C., the mixture is filtered and the filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. in order to produce the expected compound in the form of an oil (28 mg, 84% yield).

MS/LC: MW calculated=675.7; m/z=674.2 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.4-1.98 (m, 10H), 2.26 (s, 3H), 2.32 (m, 5H), 2.60-3.15 (m, 8H), 3.81 (m, 1H), 4.01 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 4.50 (m, 1H), 4.57 (s, 2H), 7.08-7.72 (m, 10H), 8.51 (d, 1H).

The following compounds were prepared according to reaction Diagram D and in a similar manner to the procedure described for the synthesis of 3-(2-[(3-bromobenzyl)sulphanyl]-5-{[4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-1′-piperidinyl]carbonyl}-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)-N-methyl-N-[2-(2-pyridinyl)ethyl]-1-propanamine:

In the above formula, R₁R₂N represents one of the radicals below:

R₃ represents one of the radicals below:

and R₄ represents one of the radicals below:

E. Preparation According to Reaction Diagram E:

The compounds of formula I according to the invention in which A represents —(CH₂)— can be prepared from compounds in which A represents —C(O)—, according to the following Diagram E:

As described in Diagram E, the amide (18) prepared according to reaction diagrams A or B, can be reduced to the corresponding amine (19) using borane or lithium aluminium hydride in an aprotic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran or diethyl ether at a temperature of 0 to 70° C., for 1 to 6 hours.

EXAMPLE E1 5-[(diisobutylamino)methyl]-1-(3-{methyl[2-(2-pyridinyl)ethyl]amino}propyl)-N-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine

A molar solution of lithium aluminium hydride in tetrahydrofuran (0.83 ml, 5 eq) is added dropwise to a solution of N,N-diisobutyl-1-{3-[methyl(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)amino]propyl}-2-[(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)amino]-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide (105 mg, 1 eq. prepared according to Example A1) cooled down to 0° C., in tetrahydrofuran (3 ml). After stirring for 15 minutes at 0° C., the mixture is heated at 60° C. for 3 hours then cooled down to 0° C. and hydrolysed. After adding ethyl acetate, decanting and extraction, the combined organic phases are washed with salt water, followed by drying over sodium sulphate and concentrating under reduced pressure. Purification by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: 100% dichloromethane to dichloromethane/methanol 9:1) produces the expected compound in the form of a foam (63 mg, 62% yield).

MS/LC: MW calculated=616.8; m/z=617.4 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 0.81 (d, 12H), 1.77 (m, 2H), 1.86 (m, 2H), 2.06 (d, is 4H), 2.24 (s, 3H), 2.49 (t, 2H, ³J=6 Hz), 2.74 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 2.91 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 3.48 (s, 2H), 3.62 (s, 3H), 3.78 (s, 6H), 4.05 (m, 2H), 6.97 (d, 1H), 7.13-7.24 (m, 5H), 7.63 (m, 1H), 8.43 (d, 1H), 8.94 (s, 1H).

F. Preparation According to Reaction Diagram F:

The compounds of formula I according to the invention in which Y represents —S— and —NH— and A represents —CH₂—, can be prepared according to the following Diagram F:

As described in Diagram F, derivative (3) can be reduced to compound (20) using borane in an aprotic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran or diethyl ether at a temperature of 0 to 70° C., for 18 to 24 hours. The dianiline (20) can be then treated with an isothiocyanate in the presence of a resin-supported or non-resin-supported coupling agent such as diisopropylcarbodiimide or dicyclohexylcarbodiimide or N-methylcyclohexylcarbodiimide N-methyl polystyrene resin in an inert solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, methylene chloride, or chloroform at a temperature of 20-70° C. for 2 to 72 hours in order to produce derivative (21). Alternatively, derivative (4) can be treated with an isothiocyanate in an inert solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, methylene chloride or chloroform, then the resulting thiourea can be treated with methyl iodide in a polar solvent such as ethanol for 3 to 24 hours at a temperature of 20-70° C. in order to produce (21).

As also described in reaction diagram B and Example B1, the dianiline (20) can be treated with thiocarbonyldiimidazole (TCD) or thiophosgene in an inert organic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, methylene chloride or chloroform at ambient temperature for 2 to 17 hours in order to produce derivative (22). Compound (22) is then alkylated by reacting with a halogenated derivative such as an alkyl or benzyl iodide, bromide or chloride or a bromoketone, in the presence of a tertiary base such as triethylamine or diisopropylethylamine, or in the presence of a resin-supported tertiary base such as morpholinomethyl polystyrene resin, in an inert organic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, choroform or methylene chloride, at a temperature of 20-70° C. for 3 to 24 hours. The resulting thiobenzimidazole derivative (23) can be isolated, either by flash chromatography on silica gel, or by adding a polymer-supported nucleophilic reagent such as for example an aminomethyl polystyrene resin, and a polymer-supported electrophilic reagent such as for example 4-bromomethylphenoxymethyl polystyrene resin to the reaction mixture, followed by filtration and evaporation of the filtrate.

EXAMPLE F1 5-[(diisobutylamino)methyl]-1-(3-{methyl[2-(2-pyridinyl)ethyl amino}propyl)-N-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine

Stage 1: 4-[(diisobutylamino)methyl]-N-(3-{methyl[2-(4-pyridinyl)ethyl]amino}propyl)-1,2-benzenediamine

A molar solution of borane-tetrahydrofuran complex (6.25 ml, 15 eq) is added dropwise to a solution of N,N-diisobutyl-4-({3-[methyl(2-pyridin-4-ylethyl)amino]propyl}amino)-3-nitrobenzamide (200 mg, 1 eq) in tetrahydrofuran (3 ml) cooled down to 0° C. The mixture is heated under reflux for 20 hours then cooled down to 0° C. and hydrolysed with a 6N aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid (12 ml). After 1 hour 30 minutes under reflux, the mixture is cooled down to 0° C. and brought to basic pH by a 6N aqueous solution of soda. After adding ethyl acetate, decanting and extracting, the organic phases are combined, followed by washing with salt water, drying over sodium sulphate and evaporating under reduced pressure. Purification by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: 100% dichloromethane to dichloromethane/methanol 8:2) produces the expected compound in the form of an oil (92 mg, 51% yield).

MS/LC: MW calculated=425.6; m/z=426.4 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 0.83 (d, 12H), 1.72 (m, 4H), 2.03 (d, 4H, ³J=7 Hz), 2.23 (s, 3H), 2.48 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 2.60 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 2.75 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 2.96 (m, 2H), 3.38 (s, 2H), 4.30 (m, 3H), 6.30 (d, 1H), 6.42 (d, 1H), 6.51 (s, 1H), 7.25 (d, 1H), 7.45 (m, 1H), 8.41 (m, 2H).

Stage 2: 5-[(diisobutylamino)methyl]-1-(3-{methyl[2-(2-pyridinyl)ethyl]amino}propyl)-N-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine

3,4,5 trimethoxyphenylisothiocyanate (57 mg, 1.2 eq) and N-methylcyclohexylcarbodiimide-N-methyl polystyrene resin (acquired from Novabiochem; load 1.69 mmol/g, 501 mg, 4 eq) are added successively to a solution of 4-[(diisobutylamino)methyl]-N-(3-{methyl[2-(4-pyridinyl)ethyl]amino}propyl)-1,2-benzenediamine (90 mg, 1 eq) in tetrahydrofuran (2 ml). The mixture is heated under reflux for 18 hours then cooled down to ambient temperature and aminomethyl polystyrene resin (acquired from Novabiochem, 2 eq) is added. After stirring for 4 hours at ambient temperature, the mixture is filtered on frit and the filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. Purification by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: 100% dichloromethane to dichloromethane/methanol 9:1) produces the expected compound in the form of a beige foam (92 mg, 83% yield).

MS/LC: MW calculated=616.8; m/z=617.4 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ0.81 (d, 12H), 1.77 (m, 2H), 1.86 (m, 2H), 2.06 (d, 4H), 2.22 (s, 3H), 2.31 (t, 2H, ³J=6 Hz), 2.55 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 2.71 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 3.49 (s, 2H), 3.68 (s, 3H), 3.77 (s, 6H), 4.11 (m, 2H), 6.99 (d, 1H), 7.13-7.25 (m, 6H), 8.39 (d, 2H), 8.90 (s, 1H).

G. Preparation According to Reaction Diagram G:

The compounds of formula I according to the invention in which A represents —C(O)— and R₄ represents —NW₄W′₄, can be prepared according to the following Diagram G:

As described in Diagram G, the benzimidazole derivative (24), prepared according to reaction diagrams A, B, C or D can be treated with an organic or inorganic acid such as trifluoroacetic acid or hydrogen chloride (aqueous or gaseous form) in an aprotic solvent such as dichloromethane or ethyl acetate at a temperature of 0-20° C. for 0.5 to 5 hours, in order to produce the amine (25). The amine (25) can then be treated with an epoxide in a protic or aprotic polar solvent such as methanol, ethanol or acetonitrile, in the presence or not of lithium perchlorate or ytterbium triflate, at a temperature of 20-80° C. for 4 to 48 hours in order to produce compound (26). The amine (25) can also react with an aldehyde in a protic or aprotic solvent, such as dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran or methanol, for 1 to 15 hours at a temperature of 0-50° C. The resulting imine is then reduced in situ by a resin-supported or non resin-supported reducing agent, preferably resin-supported sodium triacetoxyborohydride, sodium cyanoborohydride or borohydride, with or without the presence of an acid such as acetic acid, at a temperature of 20 to 50° C. for a duration of 0.2 to 5 hours, in order to produce compound (27).

The compounds 27 for which s=3 can also be prepared according to the following Diagram G′:

Such as described in Diagram G′, the derivative (30) prepared according to reaction Diagrams A, B, C or D can be treated either with an organic acid such as pyridinium tosylate or paratoluenesulphonic acid in an aprotic solvent such as acetone in the presence of water, at a temperature of 20-70° C. for 2 to 12 hours, or with an inorganic acid such as aqueous hydrogen chloride in an aprotic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran at a temperature of 0-20° C. for 6 to 18 hours in order to produce compound (31). The aldehyde (31) can then be treated with an amine in a protic or aprotic solvent such as dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran or methanol for 1 to 18 hours at a temperature of 20° C. The resulting imine is then reduced in situ by a reducing agent, preferably sodium triacetoxyborohydride or sodium cyanoborohydride, in the presence or not of an acid such as acetic acid, at a temperature of 20-50° C. for a duration of 0.2 to 6 hours, in order to produce compound (27′).

EXAMPLE G1 1-{2-[(cyclohexylmethyl)amino]ethyl}-N,N-diisobutyl-2-[(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)amino]-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide

Stage 1: 1-(2-aminoethyl)-N,N-diisobutyl-2-[(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)amino]-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide Hydrochloride

A stream of dry HCl is passed through a solution of tert-butyl 2-{5-[(diisobutylamino)carbonyl]-2-[(3,4,5-trimethoxy phenyl)amino]-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl}ethylcarbamate (2.56 g, prepared according to the procedure described in Example A1, reaction diagram A) in ethyl acetate (100 ml), (100% ethyl acetate) cooled down to 0° C. until the TLC shows complete disappearance of the starting product. The resulting mixture is then evaporated under reduced pressure. The solid obtained is triturated in diethylether and filtered in order to produce the expected compound in the form of white crystals (2.25 g, 97% yield).

MS/LC: MW calculated=497.6; m/z=498.3 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 0.67 (m, 6H), 0.92 (m, 6H), 1.84-2.03 (m, 2H), 3.10-3.17 (m, 4H), 3.38 (m, 2H), 3.71 (s, 3H), 3.81 (s, 6H), 4.76 (m, 2H), 6.93 (s, 2H), 7.30 (m, 2H), 7.81 (d, 1H), 8.56 (m, 3H).

Stage 2: 1-{2-[(cyclohexylmethyl)amino]ethyl}-N,N-diisobutyl-2-[(3,4,5-trimethoxy phenyl)amino]-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide

A solution of 1-(2-aminoethyl)-N,N-diisobutyl-2-[(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)amino]-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide (30 mg, 1 eq) and cyclohexanecarboxaldehyde (5 mg, 0.8 eq) in methanol (0.7 ml) is stirred at a temperature of approximately 20° C. for 4 hours. Borohydride resin (48 mg, 2.5 mmol/g, Amberlite®, IRA-400) is added and the mixture is stirred for 18 hours then dichloromethane (0.5 ml) and benzyloxybenzaldehyde Wang resin (37 mg, 3.22 mmol/g, Novabiochem) are added. After stirring overnight, the mixture is filtered and the filtrate is evaporated under reduced pressure in order to produce the expected compound in the form of a beige foam (18 mg, 65%).

MS/LC: MW calculated=593.8; m/z=594.4 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 0.65-1.80 (m, 23H), 2.60 (d, 2H), 3.13 (m, 2H), 3.82 (s, 3H), 3.90 (s, 6H), 4.10 (m, 2H), 6.91 (s, 2H), 7.07; 7.16 (AB, 2H), 7.53 (s, 1H), 10.1 (s, 1H).

The following compounds were prepared according to reaction Diagram G and in a similar manner to the procedure described for the synthesis of 1-{2-[(cyclohexylmethyl)amino]ethyl}-N,N-diisobutyl-2-[(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)amino]-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide (a final purification by flash chromatography on silica gel can also be carried out):

In the above formula, R₄ represents one of the radicals below:

EXAMPLE G2 1-{2-[(1-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)amino]ethyl}-N,N-diisobutyl-2-[(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)amino]-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide

Lithium perchlorate (16 mg, 3 eq) then after 5 minutes 1-(2-aminoethyl)-N,N-diisobutyl-2-[(3,4,5-trimethoxy phenyl)amino]-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide (25 mg, 1 eq) are added, at a temperature of approximately 20° C. to a solution of 2,3-epoxypropylbenzene (7 mg, 1 eq) in acetonitrile (0.5 ml). The mixture is heated under reflux for 24 hours then cooled down to ambient temperature and hydrogen carbonate and dichloromethane saturated water is added. After decanting and extracting, the organic phases are combined and washed with salt water, followed by drying over sodium sulphate and evaporating under reduced pressure at 40° C. Purification of the oil obtained by flash chromatography on silica gel (100% dichloromethane to dichloromethane/methanol 80:20) produces the expected compound in the form of an oil (31 mg, 55% yield)

MS/LC: MW calculated=631.8; m/z=632.4 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 0.83 (m, 6H), 0.91 (m, 6H), 1.81-2.10 (m, 2H), 2.57-2.65 (m, 3H), 2.91 (m, 2H), 3.21 (m, 4H), 3.62 (s, 3H), 3.75 (m, 7H), 4.22 (m, 2H), 4.74 (d, 1H), 6.97-7.33 (m, 10H).

The following compounds were prepared according to reaction diagram G and in a similar manner to the procedure described for the synthesis of 1-{2-[(1-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)amino]ethyl}-N,N-diisobutyl-2-[(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)amino]-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide:

In the above formula, R₄ represents one of the radicals below:

H. Preparation According to Reaction Diagram H:

The compounds of formula I according to the invention in which A represents —C(O)—, Y represents —S— and R₃ represents —(CH₂)_(p)—CH(OH)—(CH₂)_(p′)—Z₃, can be prepared according to the following diagram H:

As described in Diagram H, the thiobenzimidazole derivative (28), prepared according to reaction diagrams B or D, can be treated with a reducing agent such as sodium borohydride in a protic solvent such as methanol at a temperature of 0-20° C. for 0.2 hours to 1 hour, in order to produce the corresponding alcohol (29).

EXAMPLE H1 2-{[2-hydroxy-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]thio}-N,N-diisobutyl-1-{3-[methyl(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)amino]propyl}-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide

Sodium borohydride (8 mg, 2 eq) is added at 0° C. to a solution of N,N-diisobutyl-1-{3-[methyl(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)amino]propyl}-2-{[2-oxo-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]thio}-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide (69 mg, 1 eq) in methanol (2 ml). After stirring for 10 minutes at 0° C., the mixture is taken to a temperature of approximately 20° C. and stirred at this temperature for 30 minutes. The mixture is then concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. then water saturated with ammonium chloride and dichloromethane is added. After decanting and extracting, the organic phases are combined and washed with salt water, dried over sodium sulphate and evaporated under reduced pressure at 40° C. Purification of the oil obtained by flash chromatography on silica gel (100% dichloromethane to dichloromethane/methanol 80:20) produces the expected compound in the form of an oil (61 mg, 88% yield).

MS/LC: MW calculated=691.9; m/z=692.4 (MH+)

NMR (¹H, 400 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ0.61 (m, 6H), 0.91 (m, 6H), 1.71-2.03 (m, 4H), 2.17 (s, 3H), 2.31 (t, 3H, ³J=6.5 Hz), 2.65 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 2.85 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 3.08-3.30 (m, 4H), 3.56 (m, 1H), 3.60 (s, 3H), 3.71 (m, 1H), 3.75 (s, 6H), 4.05 (t, 2H, ³J=7 Hz), 4.86 (m, 1H), 5.87 (d, 1H), 6.75 (s, 2H), 7.11-7.65 (m, 6H), 8.43 (d, 1H).

Preparation of the Synthesis Reagents

N-(2-pyridin-2-yl ethyl)propane-1,3-diamine

Acrylonitrile (10.1 ml, 1.1 eq) is added slowly to a solution cooled down to approximately 4° C. of 2-[2-(methylamino)ethyl]pyridine (19.5 ml, 1 eq) in methanol (200 ml). The reaction medium is then stirred for 3 hours at approximately 20° C. then concentrated under reduced pressure at 40° C. in order to produce 3-[(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)amino]propanenitrile in the form of a yellow oil (25.6 g, 96% yield).

A solution of this oil (15.3 g) in methanol saturated with ammonia (250 ml) is hydrogenated in the presence of Raney nickel (1.5 g) at approximately 20° C. for 15 hours. The reaction mixture is then filtered on Celite. The filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure at approximately 40° C. in order to produce the expected compound in the form of a greenish oil (15.5 g, yield 97%).

The following compounds were prepared in a similar manner to the procedure described for the synthesis of N-(2-pyridin-2-ylethyl)propane-1,3-diamine:

2-bromo-1-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)ethanone

Resin-supported pyridine hydrobromide perbromide (23, g, 1 eq) is added to a solution of 3,4,5-trimethoxy-acetophenone (10 g, 1 eq) in methanol (150 ml). After stirring for 3 hours at approximately 20° C., the mixture is filtered and the filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification of the residue obtained by flash chromatography on silica gel (eluent: heptane/ethyl acetate 8/2 then 7/3) produces the expected compound in the form of a white powder (8.2 g, 60% yield). Melting point=66° C.

3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl Isothiocyanate

Potassium thiocyanate is added to a solution of 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoylchloride (2.3 g) in acetonitrile (40 ml). After stirring for 15 minutes at approximately 20° C., the mixture is filtered and the filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure in order to produce the expected compound in the form of a beige powder (2.4 g, 96% yield). Melting point=101° C.

The compounds I (or I′) of the present invention have useful pharmacological properties. In this way it was discovered that the compounds I (or I′) of the present invention have an antagonist activity of GnRH (Gonadotropin-Releasing hormone.

The compounds of the present invention can thus be used in different therapeutic applications. They can advantageously be used in women in the treatment of endometriosis, fibroma, polycystic ovary syndrome, cancer of the breast, the ovary and the endometrium, gonadotropic hypophyseal desensitization during medically-assisted procreation protocols; in men, in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer; and in the treatment of male or female precocious puberty. An illustration of the pharmacological properties of the compounds of the invention will be found below, in the experimental part.

A subject of the invention is also, as medicaments, the products of formula I (or I′) as defined above, as well as the addition salts with pharmaceutically acceptable mineral or organic acids of said products of formula I (or I′), as well as the pharmaceutical compositions containing, as active ingredient, at least one of the medicaments as defined above, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable support.

The pharmaceutical composition can be in the form of a solid, for example powders, granules, tablets, gelatin capsules or suppositories. Appropriate solid supports can be, for example, calcium phosphate, magnesium stearate, talc, sugars, lactose, dextrin, starch, gelatin, cellulose, methyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidine and wax.

The pharmaceutical compositions containing a compound according to the invention can also be presented in liquid form, for example solutions, emulsions, suspensions or syrups. Appropriate liquid supports can be, for example, water, organic solvents such as glycerol or glycols, similarly their mixtures, in varying proportions, in water with added pharmaceutically acceptable oils or fats. The sterile liquid compositions can be used for intramuscular, intraperitoneal or subcutaneous injections and the sterile compositions can also be administered intravenously.

All the technical and scientific terms used in the present text have the meanings known to a person skilled in the art. Moreover, all patents (or patent applications) as well as other bibliographical references are incorporated by way of reference.

Experimental Part:

The compounds according to the invention, obtained according to the procedures of Examples A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H described previously, are set out in the table below.

The compounds are characterised by their retention time (rt) and their molecular peak determined by mass spectrometry (MH+).

For the mass spectrometry, a single quadripole mass spectrometer (Micromass, Platform model) equipped with an electrospray source is used with a resolution of 0.8 Da at 50% valley. Calibration is carried out monthly between masses 80 and 1000 Da using a calibration mixture of sodium iodide and rubidium iodide in solution in an isopropanol/water mixture (1/1 Vol.).

For the liquid chromatography, a Waters system including an in-line degasser, a Waters 600 quaternary pump, a Gilson 233 plate sampling injector and a Waters 996 PDA UV detector, are used.

The elution conditions used are the following:

Eluent A water + 0.04% trifluoroacetic acid B acetonitrile T (min) A % B % 1 95 5 8.5 5 95 10.5 5 95 10.6 95 5 14.9 95 5 15.0 95 5 Flow rate: 1 ml/min Injection: 10 μL Column: Uptisphere ODS 3 μm 75*4.6 mm i.d

These examples are presented in order to illustrate the above procedures and should in no case be considered as limiting the scope of the invention.

In each illustration of the R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ radicals, the X₁, X₂, X₃ and X₄ radicals represent, respectively, the remaining part of the compound of general formula (I).

Examples 1 to 253, 254 to 255 and 256 to 538 illustrate respectively compounds I in which A represents —C(O)— and Y—S—, A represents —CH₂— and Y—NH— and A represents —C(O)— and Y—NH—.

Examples R1 R2 R3 R4 [M + H]+ rt (min) 1

599.4 9.7 2

735.3 10.7 3

600.4 9.3 4

599.5 9.1 5

579.5 9.2 6

644.5 9.1 7

649.5 9.7 8

659.5 9.2 9

667.4 9.8 10

670.5 9.7 11

640.5 9.4 12

657.5 8.9 13

677.4 9.4 14

627.5 9.6 15

681.5 9.5 16 H

634.5 7.2 17 H

614.5 7.2 18 H

679.5 7.3 19 H

684.5 7.7 20 H

694.5 7.3 21 H

702.4 7.7 22 H

705.5 7.6 23 H

673.5 7.3 24 H

692.5 7.3 25 H

712.4 7.5 26 H

662.5 7.6 27 H

716.2 7.4 28

600.5 8.5 29

580.5 8.5 30

645.5 8.5 31

650.5 9.1 32

660.6 8.5 33

668.5 9.2 34

671.2 9.0 35

641.3 8.7 36

658.5 8.4 37

678.4 8.9 38

628.5 8.9 39

682.5 8.9 40

639.4 9.6 41

571.5 9.1 42

627.5 10.2 43

649.4 9.6 44

607.5 9.5 45

621.5 9.6 46

646.5 9.2 47

747.5 9.5 48

649.4 9.6 49

629.5 9.1 50

596.4 8.9 51

605.4 9.5 52

631.5 9.2 53 H

674.3 7.5 54 H

606.4 7.3 55 H

662.5 8.0 56 H

684.3 7.5 57 H

620.4 7.4 58 H

656.4 7.6 59 H

681.4 7.4 60 H

781.3 7.7 61 H

684.3 7.5 62 H

664.4 7.3 63 H

631.4 7.2 64 H

640.4 7.5 65 H

666.4 7.3 66

640.4 9.1 67

572.4 8.5 68

628.5 9.7 69

650.4 9.0 70

586.4 8.9 71

622.5 9.1 72

647.5 8.7 73

748.5 9.1 74

650.4 9.0 75

630.4 8.6 76

597.4 8.4 77

606.4 8.9 78

632.5 8.6 79

605.5 9.0 80

666.5 9.5 81 H

577.3 8.7 82 H

515.4 8.1 83

515.4 8.1 84 H

529.5 8.4 85

557.4 8.0 86 H

569.5 8.9 87 H

583.5 9.2 88 H

607.5 8.7 89 H

599.5 9.8 90

628.5 8.4 91

652.5 7.6 92

645.5 9.7 93

660.6 9.9 94

603.4 9.1 95 H

621.4 8.7 96 H

583.4 8.7 97

674.5 8.7 98 H

605.5 9.1 99 H

669.4 9.3 100

624.5 7.2 101 H

653.5 9.5 102 H

543.5 8.6 103 H

583.5 9.2 104

598.5 7.2 105

702.5 8.0 106

676.5 7.5 107

692.5 9.0 108 H

645.4 9.5 109 H

605.5 9.2 110

629.0 9.4 111

668.0 9.8 112

659.0 9.4 113

657.0 10.4 114

689.0 9.3 115

676.8 9.5 116

626.9 9.7 117

638.9 9.5 118

654.9 9.7 119 H

692.9 8.3 120 H

723.8 7.7 121 H

711.7 7.8 122 H

661.9 7.9 123 H

673.9 7.8 124 H

689.9 8.0 125

629.9 8.9 126

669.0 9.3 127

659.9 8.9 128

658.0 9.9 129

690.0 8.8 130

677.8 9.1 131

628.0 9.1 132

640.0 9.1 133

655.9 9.3 134 H

607.0 9.8 135 H

609.0 9.6 136 H

619.0 10.1 137 H

621.0 9.1 138 H

639.0 10.0 139 H

653.0 9.1 140 H

602.0 9.0 141 H

620.0 8.6 142 H

654.9 10.0 143 H

731.9 9.4 144 H

661.1 7.9 145 H

630.0 9.1 146 H

680.0 10.1 147

626.9 9.2 148

653.9 8.8 149 H

660.0 8.0 150

662.0 9.2 151

662.9 9.1 152

638.0 7.8 153

658.9 9.3 154

689.9 9.3 155

633.0 7.8 156 H

598.0 7.8 157

683.0 7.8 158

666.0 8.1 159

674.0 8.2 160

679.9 8.2 161

660.0 8.2 162 H

586.0 7.8 163

666.0 8.4 164

667.0 7.5 165

624.0 7.9 166

633.9 8.7 167

725.0 9.5 168

700.9 9.8 169

585.0 9.5 170

674.9 9.7 171

648.8 9.7 172

726.0 9.1 173

701.9 9.4 174

585.9 9.1 175

675.9 9.3 176

649.8 9.2 177

687.5 9.3 178

716.5 9.3 179

675.5 9.3 180

676.5 8.8 181

655.5 10.4 182

684.5 10.4 183

643.5 10.4 184

662.5 8.9 185

569.5 9.1 186 H

571.5 9.3 187

696.3 7.8 188

700.3 8.7 189

674.2 7.6 190

679.1 8.4 191 H

634.2 9.5 192

705.2 8.6 193

717.1 9.9 194 H

693.2 8.8 195

689.2 7.8 196

741.2 8.0 197

654.2 9.4 198

692.4 8.4 199

H

629.1 7.9 200

713.2 .9.0 201

H

651.2 7.8 202

H

656.2 9.5 203

720.3 7.5 204

663.2 7.9 205

685.2 8.5 206

689.3 8.0 207

H

654.3 10.1 208

725.3 9.3 209

737.3 10.4 210

H

713.4 9.4 211

709.4 8.3 212

761.3 8.54 213

674.3 9.9 214

H

649.3 8.5 215

733.3 9.5 216

H

671.3 8.3 217

H

676.3 10.1 218

740.4 7.9 219

683.3 8.4 220

705.3 9.2 221

709.4 8.5 222

713.3 10.0 223

708.2 10.0 224

H

669.4 8.2 225

H

708.3 9.6 226

H

663.3 8.1 227

H

671.4 8.2 228

H

696.3 9.8 229

H

706.4 10.3 230

622.2 9.3 231

678.2 10.4 232

H

649.3 7.3 233

H

660.3 8.5 234

660.4 7.3 235

H

663.4 7.3 236

H

690.5 9.2 237

729.5 7.4 238

H

691.4 7.4 239

H

669.4 7.5 240

H

686.4 7.4 241

H

621.3 7.3

242

H

675.4 7.4 243

H

663.4 7.4 244

H

634.4 8.2 245

H

677.4 7.4 246

H

691.4 7.4 247

718.6 9.5 248

677.5 7.4 249

657.4 11.4 250

685.4 11.7 251

557.3 8.6 252

585.3 8.8 253

617.2 12.4 254

617.4 7.2 255

617.4 7.1 256

568.4 8.4 257

568.3 7.8 258

600.4 7.8 259

747.5 6.7 260

601.4 7.4 261

574.4 8.3 262

590.4 8.2 263

615.4 8.6 264

568.5 8.1 265

582.4 8.0 266

582.5 8.5 267

576.4 8.1 268

565.4 8.1 269

584.4 8.0 270

580.5 8.3 271

632.4 8.6 272

632.4 8.5 273 H

609.3 7.0 274 H

625.4 7.0 275 H

650.4 7.2 276 H

603.4 6.9 277 H

617.4 6.8 278 H

617.4 7.2 279 H

611.4 6.8 280 H

600.4 6.9 281 H

619.3 6.7 282 H

615.4 7.0 283 H

667.4 7.3 284 H

667.3 7.2

285

575.4 7.6 286

591.4 7.5 287

616.4 7.9 288

569.4 7.4 289

583.4 7.4 290

583.4 7.8 291

577.4 7.4 292

566.4 7.5 293

583.3 7.3 294

581.4 7.6 295

633.3 7.9 296

633.2 7.8 297

570.1 7.9 298

600.1 7.9 299

586.1 8.0 300

604.1 8.4 301

583.2 7.9 302

600.1 8.0 303

586.1 8.3 304

570.1 7.9 305

570.1 8.1 306

584.1 8.0 307

571.1 7.6 308

601.1 7.6 309

586.9 7.6 310

605.0 8.1 311

584.1 7.6 312

601.1 7.7 313

587.0 7.9 314

571.1 7.6 315

571.1 7.7 316

585.1 7.7 317 H

540.4 8.1 318

593.2 7.4 319

597.2 7.9 320

626.2 8.7 321

528.2 8.0 322 H

552.2 8.6 323

623.3 8.1 324

635.2 8.8 325 H

611.2 8.2 326

607.0 7.6 327

659.2 7.8 328

572.2 8.5 329 H

547.2 7.7 330

631.2 8.4 331 H

569.2 7.6 332 H

574.2 8.6 333

638.3 7.4 334

581.3 7.7 335

603.2 8.0 336

607.3 7.7 337 H

585.2 8.18 338

656.3 7.2 339

668.2 8.4 340 H

644.2 7.8 341

640.3 7.2 342

692.2 7.5 343

605.2 8.1 344 H

580.2 7.3 345

664.2 8.0 346 H

602.3 7.2 347 H

607.2 8.21 348

671.3 7.1 349

614.3 7.3 350

636.2 7.6 351

640.3 7.4 352

538.2 8.2 353 H

555.3 7.5 354 H

567.3 7.5 355 H

620.3 8.1 356 H

547.3 7.4 357

602.3 7.5 358 H

564.3 7.4 359 H

614.2 8.5 360 H

619.3 8.1 361

689.3 7.6 362

652.3 7.5 363 H

648.3 7.3 364 H

614.3 7.3 365 H

599.2 7.9 366 H

605.3 8.0 367

670.4 8.1 368

645.5 8.0 369

629.5 8.0 370

631.3 7.9 371

584.5 8.5 372

598.5 8.4 373

628.5 8.2 374

563.5 8.7 375

613.5 8.3 376

627.6 8.3 377

657.6 8.1 378

592.5 8.4 379

572.5 8.4 380

586.5 8.3 381

616.5 8.1 382

551.5 8.6 383

573.4 8.0 384

587.5 8.0 385

617.5 7.8 386

552.5 8.1 387

587.5 8.1 388

601.5 8.0 389

631.5 7.9 390

566.5 8.2 391

599.4 8.9 392

626.4 9.3 393

598.3 9.0 394

635.5 8.1 395

599.4 7.9 396

635.4 8.0 397

603.4 8.9 398

603.4 9.3 399

603.4 9.3 400

614.4 9.1 401

583.5 8.9 402

583.5 9.1 403

583.5 9.1 404

569.4 8.9 405

556.4 7.6 406

601.4 7.8 407

659.5 8.8 408

508.4 7.9 409

538.4 7.8 410

537.4 7.9 411

567.4 7.8 412

506.4 7.3 413

496.4 7.9 414

526.4 7.8 415

465.4 7.3 416

498.3 7.7 417

526.3 7.8 418

631.4 7.5 419

618.5 8.2 420

594.4 8.1 421

594.5 8.3 422

589.4 7.8 423

588.4 8.2 424

632.4 8.2 425

568.4 8.1 426

631.5 8.2 427

580.5 8.2 428

596.5 8.0 429

659.6 8.1 430

655.5 8.1 431

608.6 8.1 432

618.5 8.1 433

572.4 7.7 434

648.5 8.3 435

652.5 8.1 436

616.4 8.0 437

644.4 8.2 438

650.4 8.1 439

641.4 8.0 440

694.3 8.2 441

622.3 8.0 442

622.5 8.2 443

582.4 8.0 444

624.4 8.3 445

612.4 9.2 446

512.2 7.7 447

602.4 8.0 448

608.4 8.1 449

645.4 8.0 450

671.5 8.3 451

687.5 8.3 452

552.3 8.3 453

552.3 8.0 454

538.3 8.4 455

560.2 9.1 456

594.4 8.1 457

674.5 8.4 458

603.4 7.9 459

603.4 7.8 460

603.4 7.7 461

554.4 7.9 462

568.4 8.0 463

600.3 8.0 464

582.4 8.1 465

596.4 8.2 466

582.4 8.1 467

566.3 7.9 468

606.4 8.2 469

582.4 8.1 470

596.4 8.2 471

0.0 0.0 472

568.4 8.0 473

582.3 7.8 474

595.4 7.8 475

594.4 7.9 476

566.3 7.8 477

580.3 7.9 478

594.4 8.1 479

612.4 8.0 480

616.4 8.2 481

681.4 7.9 482

632.4 8.1 483

680.3 8.3 484

692.4 8.1 485

580.3 8.1 486

646.4 8.1 487

662.4 8.0 488

658.5 8.5 489

659.4 7.9 490

627.4 8.1 491

638.4 8.0 492

580.4 8.0 493

646.4 8.2 494

638.5 8.7 495

614.4 8.1 496

652.4 8.3 497

636.4 8.2 498

630.4 8.3 499

660.4 8.1 500

662.4 8.2 501

644.4 8.4 502

608.4 8.2 503

616.4 8.2 504

630.4 8.3 505

554.4 7.8 506

672.4 8.6 507

584.4 7.9 508

568.3 7.9 509

596.4 8.1 510

612.4 8.0 511

582.4 8.1 512

556.3 7.9 513

598.3 7.9 514

580.4 8.0 515

552.3 7.9 516

612.4 8.0 517

606.4 8.2 518

624.4 8.4 519

612.4 8.0 520

646.4 8.3 521

608.4 8.2 522

616.3 8.2 523

630.3 8.2 524

636.4 8.5 525

608.3 8.2 526

582.3 8.1 527

600.3 7.8 528

610.3 8.2 529

582.3 8.1 530

598.3 7.9 531

584.3 7.9 532

570.2 7.8 533

596.4 8.2 534

610.3 7.9 535

586.3 8.4 536

534.3 7.6 537

540.3 7.9 538

586.3 8.4 Pharmacological Study

The antagonist activity of the GnRH of the compounds according to the invention is measured according to the following protocols:

Establishment of a Stable Line Transfected by the Human LHRH Receptor:

The cDNA of the human LHRH receptor is cloned in the EcoRI site in a mammalian expression vector pcDNA3.1 (InVitrogen Inc.). This plasmid construction is transfected using Effectene according to the manufacturers recommendations (Qiagen) in a cell line derived from human embryo kidney, HEK-293 (ATCC) and the selection is carried out in a DMEM medium containing 0.5 mg/ml of geneticin. The cells containing the expression vector for the LHRH receptor are then cloned by limited dilution then multiplied in culture. These cell clones are then tested for the expression of the human LHRH receptor by competitive inhibition tests of the bond and measurement of inositol phosphates.

Cell Culture and Membrane Preparation:

The HEK-293 cells expressing in a stable manner the human LHRH receptor as described above are cultured in a DMEM medium in the presence of 10% foetal calf serum and supplemented by 0.4 mg/ml geneticin (G418, Sigma Chemical Company). The cells are detached from the culture medium with EDTA 0.5 mM and centrifuged at 500 g for 10 minutes at 4° C. The cell pellet is washed with Tris 50 mM, pH 7.4 and centrifuged twice at 500 g for 10 minutes. The cells are finally lysed by sonication then centrifuged at 39000 g for 10 minutes at 4° C. The pellet is resuspended in Tris 50 mM, pH 7.4 and centrifuged at 50000 g for 10 minutes at 4° C. in order to obtain a membrane pellet divided into several aliquots stored at −80° C. before use.

Study of the Affinity for the Human LHRH Receptor:

The affinity of a compound of the invention for the human LHRH receptor is determined by measurement of the inhibition of the bond of [¹²⁵I-Tyr5]-DTrp⁶-LHRH on human cells transfected by the cDNA of the human LHRH receptor.

The competitive inhibition tests of the bond of [¹²⁵I-Tyr5]-DTrp⁶-LHRH are carried out in duplicate in polypropylene 96 well plates. The membranes of the HEK-293 cells expressing in a stable manner the human LHRH receptor (20 μg proteins/well) are incubated in the presence of [¹²⁵I-Tyr5]-DTrp⁶-LHRH (0.2 nM) for 60 minutes at 4° C. in a medium containing Tris/HCl 50 mM pH 7.4, Bacitracin 0.1 mg/ml, BSA 0.1% (1 mg/ml).

The bound [¹²⁵I-Tyr5]-DTrp⁶-LHRH is separated from the free [¹²⁵I-Tyr5]-DTrp⁶-LHRH by filtration through filter plates constituted by glass fibre GF/C (Unifilter, Packard) impregnated with polyethylenimine 0.1%, using a FilterMate 96 (Packard). The filters are then washed with Tris/HCl 50 mM buffer at 4° C. for 4 seconds and the radioactivity is counted using a scintillation counter (Packard, Topcount).

The specific bond is calculated after subtracting the non-specific bond (determined in the presence of DTrp⁶-LHRH 0.1 μM) from the total bond. The data relative to the bond obtained by nonlinear regression analysis and the inhibition constant values (Ki) are determined.

Determination of the agonist or antagonist profile of a compound of the present invention is carried out by the method described below.

Functional Test: Inhibition of the Production of Intracellular Inositol Phosphates

HEK-293 cells expressing in a stable manner the human GnRH receptor are cultured at a rate of 200,000 cells per well in a 24-well plate coated with poly-D-lysine (Falcon Biocoat) in a DMEM medium in the presence of 10% foetal calf serum and 0.4 mg/ml geneticin for 24 hours.

The medium is then replaced by DMEM not containing Inositol in the presence of 10% foetal calf serum and 1 μCi/ml of [3H]myo-inositol (Amersham) for 16-18 hours at 37° C.

The cells are washed with DMEM not containing inositol in the presence of 10 mM lithium chloride and incubated for 30 minutes at 37° C.

The production of inositol phosphates is stimulated by the addition of DTrp⁶-LHRH 0.5 nM over 45 minutes at 37° C.

The antagonist effect of a compound is measured by the simultaneous addition of DTrp⁶-LHRH 0.5 nM and the compounds to be tested at different increasing concentrations (example: 10⁻¹⁰ M to 10⁻⁵M).

The reaction medium is eliminated and 1 ml of 0.1 M formic acid is added and incubated for 5 minutes at 4° C.

The plate is then frozen at −80° C. then thawed at ambient temperature.

The inositol phosphates are then separated from all of the intracellular inositols on ion exchange resin (Biorad) by eluting with 1M ammonium formate and 0.1M formic acid.

The quantity of inositol phosphates leaving the column is finally measured in the presence of scintillating liquid.

RESULTS

The tests carried out according to the protocols described above have allowed it to be shown that the products of general formula (I) defined in the present Application have a good affinity for the LHRH receptor, the inhibition constant K_(i) on this receptor being below micromolar for certain of the exemplified compounds. 

1. A compound of the formula:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in racemic, enantiomeric form or any combination of these forms and in which: A is —C(O)—; Y is —NH—; R₁ and R₂ are, independently, hydrogen, (C₁-C₈)alkyl or (C₅-C₉)bicycloalkyl optionally substituted by at least one (C₁-C₆)alkyl or R₁ and R₂ form, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, a heterocycloalkyl, a heterobicycloalkyl or the groups

said group being optionally substituted by at least one: —(CH₂)_(n″)—X″—Y″, oxo, hydroxy, halo, nitro or cyano; wherein X″ is —O—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O— or a covalent bond; Y″ is (C₁-C₆)alkyl, amino, (C₁-C₆)alkylamino, di((C₁-C₆)alkyl)amino, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, arylalkyl, or aryl or heteroaryl optionally substituted by at least one: (C₁-C₆)alkyl, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)alkyl-carbonyl, halo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, CF₃, OCF₃, amino, (C₁-C₆)alkylamino or di((C₁-C₆)alkyl)amino; or Y″ is

wherein n″ is an integer from 0 to 4; R₃ is —(CH₂)_(p)—W₃—(CH₂)_(p′)—Z₃ wherein W₃ is a covalent bond, —CH(OH)— or —C(O)—; Z₃ is (C₁-C₆)alkyl, adamantyl, aryl, heteroaryl,

the aryl being optionally substituted by at least one —(CH₂)_(p″)—V₃—Y₃, halo, nitro, cyano, N₃, or hydroxy; wherein V₃ is —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —SO₂— or a covalent bond; Y₃ is (C₁-C₆)alkyl optionally substituted by at least one halo, amino, (C₁-C₆)alkylamino, di((C₁-C₆)alkyl)amino, phenylcarbonylmethyl, heterocycloalkyl or aryl; p, p′, and p″ represent, independently, an integer from 0 to 4; R₄ is —(CH₂)_(s)—R″₄ wherein R″₄ is a heterocycloalkyl including at least one nitrogen atom and optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)alkyl or aralkyl; a heteroaryl including at least one nitrogen atom and optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)alkyl; or —NW₄W′₄ wherein W₄ is hydrogen, (C₁-C₈)alkyl or (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl; W′₄ is —(CH₂)_(s′)-Q₄-Z₄; Q₄ is a covalent bond, —CH₂—CH(OH)—[CH₂]_(t)—[O]_(t′)—[CH₂]_(t″)— or —C(O)—O—; t, t′, and t″ are, independently, 0 or 1; Z₄ is hydrogen, (C₁-C₈)alkyl optionally substituted by at least one: (C₁-C₆)alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)alkylthio, (C₁-C₆)alkyldithio or hydroxy; (C₂-C₆)alkenyl; (C₂-C₆)alkynyl; (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl optionally substituted by at least one: (C₁-C₆)alkyl, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy-carbonyl or (C₁-C₆)hydroxyalkyl; cyclohexene; adamantyl; heteroaryl; aryl optionally substituted by at least one —(CH₂)_(q″)—V₄—Y₄, hydroxy, halo, nitro, or cyano; wherein V₄ is —O—, —S—, —NH—C(O)— or a covalent bond; Y₄ is (C₁-C₆)alkyl optionally substituted by di((C₁-C₆)alkyl)amino or at least one halo; amino; (C₁-C₆)alkylamino; di((C₁-C₆)alkyl)amino; aralkyl; or heterocycloalkyl; q″ is an integer from 0 to 4; or Z₄ is a group of the formula

s and s′ represent, independently, an integer from 0 to
 6. 2. The compound of claim 1, wherein: R₁ and R₂, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a heterocycloalkyl which is piperidine, piperazine, diazepane, thiazolidine or morpholine; the cycloalkyl of Y″ is cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl; the heterocycloalkyl of Y″ is piperidine, pyrrolidine or morpholine; the arylalkyl of Y″ is benzyl; the aryl of Y″ is phenyl; the heteroaryl of Y″ is pyridine, pyrazine, furan or thiophene; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 3. The compound of claim 1, wherein: the aryl of Z₃ is phenyl or naphthyl; the heteroaryl of Z₃ is benzo[b]thiophene or benzo[b]furan; the heterocycloalkyl of Y₃ is pyrrolidine; the aryl of Y₃ is phenyl; or a phamaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 4. The compound of claim 1, wherein: the heterocycloalkyl of R″₄ is piperazine, piperidine, morpholine or pyrrolidine; the aralkyl which optionally substitutes the heterocycloalkyl of R″₄ is benzyl; the heteroaryl of R″₄ is imidazole; the (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl of Z₄ is cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or cycloheptyl; the heteroaryl of Z₄ is pyridine, thiophene, indole or furan; the aryl of Z₄ is phenyl or naphthyl; the aralkyl of Y₄ is benzyl; the heterocycloalkyl of Y₄ is pyrrolidine; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 5. The compound of claim 1, wherein: R₁ and R₂ are, independently, hydrogen or (C₁-C₈)alkyl; or R₁ and R₂ form, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, piperidine, piperazine, diazepane, thiazolidine, morpholine, or the groups

said groups being optionally substituted by at least one —(CH₂)_(n″)—X″—Y″ wherein: X″ is —C(O)—, —C(O)—O— or a covalent bond; Y″ is (C₁-C₆)alkyl, di(alkyl)amino, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, piperidine, pyrrolidine, morpholine, benzyl, pyridine, pyrazine, furan, thiophene or phenyl, said phenyl being optionally substituted by at least one (C₁-C₆)alkyl, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)alkylcarbonyl and halo; or Y″ is

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 6. The compound of claim 1, wherein: R₃ is —(CH₂)_(p)—W₃—(CH₂)_(p′)Z₃, wherein: W₃ is a covalent bond, —CH(OH)— or —C(O)—; Z₃ is (C₁-C₆)alkyl, phenyl, naphthyl, benzo[b]thiophene, benzo[b]furanyl

the phenyl being optionally substituted by at least one —(CH₂)_(p″)—V₃—Y₃, halo, nitro or cyano; wherein V₃ is —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—O—, —SO₂— or a covalent bond; Y₃ is (C₁-C₆)alkyl optionally substituted by at least one halo; amino; di((C₁-C₆)alkyl)amino; phenylcarbonylmethyl; pyrrolidine or phenyl; p, p′, and p″ are, independently, an integer from 0 to 2; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 7. The compound of claim 1, wherein R₄ is —(CH₂)_(s)—R″₄, wherein: R″₄ is piperidine optionally substituted by benzyl; piperazine optionally substituted by benzyl; or —NW₄W′₄, wherein: W₄ is hydrogen or (C₁-C₈)alkyl; and W′₄ is —(CH₂)_(s′)-Q₄Z₄; Q₄ is a covalent bond, —CH₂—CH(OH)—, —CH₂—CH(OH)—CH₂—O—, —CH₂—CH(OH)—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH(OH)—CH₂—O—CH₂— or —C(O)—O—; Z₄ is hydrogen; (C₁-C₈)alkyl optionally substituted by (C₁-C₆)alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)alkylthio, (C₁-C₆)alkyldithio or one or two hydroxy; (C₂-C₆)alkenyl; (C₂-C₆)alkynyl; cyclopropyl optionally substituted with alkoxycarbonyl; cyclobutyl; cycloheptyl optionally substituted with hydroxyalkyl; cyclohexyl optionally substituted with one or more alkyl; cycloheptyl; cyclohexene; adamantyl; pyridine; thiophene; indole; furan; naphthyl; or phenyl optionally substituted by at least one —(CH₂)_(q″)—V₄—Y₄, hydroxy, halo or cyano; wherein V₄ is —O— or a covalent bond; and Y₄ is a (C₁-C₆)alkyl, di((C₁-C₆)alkyl)amino or pyrrolidine; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 8. The compound of claim 1, wherein: R₁ and R₂ are, independently, a (C₁-C₈)alkyl; R₃ is —(CH₂)_(p)—W₃—(CH₂)_(p′)—Z₃, wherein: W₃ is a covalent bond; Z₃ is phenyl substituted by at least one —(CH₂)_(p″)—V₃—Y₃ or halo; V₃ is —O— or —S—; and Y₃ is a (C₁-C₆)alkyl; p, p′, and p″ represent 0; R₄ is —(CH₂)_(s)—R″₄ R″₄ is —NW₄W′₄ W₄ is hydrogen or (C₁-C₈)alkyl; W′₄ is —(CH₂)_(s″)-Q₄-Z₄; Q₄ is a covalent bond; Z₄ is hydrogen; (C₁-C₈)alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxy; (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl; heteroaryl; or aryl optionally substituted by at least one —(CH₂)_(q″)—V₄—Y₄; V₄ is —O— or a covalent bond; Y₄ is (C₁-C₆)alkyl or di((C₁-C₆)alkyl)amino; q″ is 0; s is an integer from 2 to 4, and s′ is an integer from 1 to 2; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 9. The compound of claim 8, wherein the (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl is cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl; the heteroaryl is pyridine; and the aryl is phenyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 10. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 11. A method of treating endometriosis, fibroma, polycystic ovary syndrome, cancer of the breast, the ovary and the endometrium, gonadotropic hypophyseal desensitization during medically-assisted procreation protocols, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 12. A method of treating benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostate cancer comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a sufficient amount of the compound of claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 13. A method of treating precocious puberty comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 